The Dirksen Center wants to help teachers teach better by giving them the opportunity to use technology to create, customize, and share online learning activities in their classrooms. The Center wants to help students learn more by bringing educational resources together in one place that provide new ways to learn about Congress interactively.

*NEW *  PUBLIC CRITICISMS OF CONGRESS & TRIVIA

In this Public Criticisms module, you will hear many of the common criticisms of Congress via "man on the street" videos. You will then be able to hear what some Congressional experts have to say about those criticisms. You will vote on whether you agree or disagree with what the public and the experts are saying, and see how other users voted on the criticisms. There are additional research resources and polling data for each of the 15 criticisms.

Find Public Criticisms of Congress at: http://www.congressforkids.net/games/Execbranch_pres_congress/2_pres_congress.htm

Trivia: The 2008 Democratic presidential primary season was one of the longest, most highly contested, and, by far, most expensive in American history. Every major-party candidate made the occasional gaffe amidst his or her daily campaigning. Complete the following quote: "It's not surprising, then, [small-town voters] get bitter, they cling to ____ or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them..."

Answer: ___________ (one word)

*Find the answer in next month's issue.

Answer to April 2009's Fun, Facts, and Trivia: http://www.webcommunicator.org/classroomresources/funfactstrivia_ans0409.htm

Do you have or know of an online activity you would like The Dirksen Congressional Center to feature on its new Web site for students -- Congress for Kids? The Center is currently seeking online activities that provide new ways to learn about Congress and the workings of the federal government interactively.

If you have questions or suggestions for online activities, contact Cindy Koeppel.