📘 Understanding Civic Engagement Through Senator Cory Booker’s 25-Hour Speech
For Grades 5–12 | Flexible Format | Includes Handout, Worksheet, and Presentation
This lesson invites students to explore the meaning of civic voice, representation, and responsibility through Senator Cory Booker’s powerful 25-hour speech delivered on the Senate floor in 2025.
Designed to build critical thinking, spark classroom dialogue, and connect history to current events, this experience includes everything from media literacy practice to creative civic expression. Students will watch, reflect, discuss, and engage with themes of justice, courage, and government in a real and relevant way.
“These are not normal times in America, and they should not be treated as such.”
“Generations from now will look back at this moment and have a single question—where were you?”
“This is our moral moment.”
 
✅ What’s Included:
🧠 A warm discussion-based opener + student-friendly breakdown of the U.S. Senate & House
📺 Video clips + reflection prompts for analyzing tone, emotion, and message
🧩 Vocabulary-building and hero-matching activity with background info
🌐 Media literacy comparisons using real articles 
🎨 Creative project choices (poster, poem, campaign) + clear rubric
✍️ Final reflection questions to close with purpose
📄 Handout for flexible use
📝 Printable worksheet for focused learners
🖥️ Teacher presentation for whole-group facilitation
 
💡 Flexible Format:
Use the 4-day layout, or choose what works best for your class. This lesson adapts to your time, students, and style. Watch the video, jump into a project, or take it slowly and go deep throughout the week. Either way, it’s here to spark honest conversations and elevate student voices.