Carolyn,
Many years ago, Mrs. Sinclair-Fowler(at BFA) did a civics unit with her 3rd graders on how the law making process. They researched official state 'stuff' as part of the curriculum and learned there was no state fruit or state pie and they decided as a group that the apple should be the state fruit and the apple pie, the state pie. They learned about the process of a bill becoming a law, which culminated in a trip to the state house to "lobby" for their bill. A select group was chosen to 'testify' in front of the Ag committee (each student had a specific rehearsed piece they read of the argument for making the apple the official fruit). They brought apple pies (for dessert at lunch) and apples to plie the legislators with as they "lobbied" for their bill.
They were amazingly well behaved and focused 8-year-olds and certainly the darlings of the legislature that day. Their bill passed and was signed into law by then Governor Dean, at a tree planting ceremony in the (then) new elementary wing. After Gov. Dean signed the bill into law they all went out and planted an apple tree at the end of the building. The tree is now about 2 stories tall and bears fruit each fall!
It was such a wonderful experience for the kids. They learned a lot, even at that young age. My son, a junior in college now, was a student in that class and he remembers it well. Of course, he did get to testify in front of the Ag committee, stood next to the governor when he signed the bill, and carried the flag in at the start of the ceremony...so he has a great deal to to look back on!
