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Writing Notebook

Congress: High School Government, Grades


11-12
Created By: Alex Parker

Standards:
GOVT.7.A
The Student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and
powers of the national government by examining the legislative branch.
GOVT.7.C
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and
powers of the national government by examining the ways individuals
and groups exert influence on the government.

Rationale
Reasoning for choosing text:
Although I will be certified to teach a wide range of topics as a future high school social
studies teacher, I am the most passionate about government and politics. Knowledge about
different governments and fundamental political structures across the globe can provide insight
into the reasoning behind world events and decisions. Furthermore, I firmly believe that students
need to have a concrete awareness of how their local, state, and federal governments are
organized. When considering the Virginia Standards of Learning, I believed that demonstrating
knowledge of the makeup of Congress and their ways of influencing other policy makers would
draw the strongest connections to the reading. If students are aware of policy-making processes,
and are able to understand the behavior of different legislators, then students are more likely to
become active citizens. Government will always be relevant in student lives, and I want my
future students to be aware of the people who create policies that will directly affect their lives.
The chosen reading deals more specifically with the demographic makeup of the United States
Congress and the incumbent advantage that members of Congress hold when running for reelection. An understanding of the demographics of Congress, in addition to the advantages of
being a veteran member, will help students realize why members of Congress vote or act in
certain ways.
UKDs

Understand:
o That the US Congress generally lacks diversity
o Incumbent Representatives have significant advantages in both elections and
influence amongst other members of Congress
o Members of specific gender, race, or religious background are much more likely
to support policies that affect people of their own characteristics
Know:
o The number of members that are in the House of Representatives and the Senate
o General benefits that go along with being a member of Congress
o Members of Congress come from occupations with high status and incomes
Do:
o Write a letter to a Member of Congress
o Create a campaign platform

Potential Challenges

Between my brief time in practicum and my experience as a Political Science


undergraduate, I have found that readings about government can be perceived as dry or boring.
Even though the reading I selected was reasonably broken up through appropriate headings,
subtitles, graphs, and other visuals, I could envision students being discouraged by complex
vocabulary or the incorporation of statistics. In regards to the SOL content standards, students
might struggle more with being able to draw connections and come up with conclusions as to
why members of Congress act in one way or another. For students who have trouble with critical
thinking skills, recognizing a relationship between a Members voting pattern on bills and their
race could be a difficult task.
Notebook Sections

Assignment One: First Job


o When the authors of the text analyze the demographic makeup of Congress, there
is an interesting observation in which most members previously held elitist
jobs. However, many of the professions listed entail skills or traits that can be
helpful in making the transition to a member of Congress. This assignment would
allow students to choose a future job that they can resonate with, but also ensures
that the student explains how that job could help someone become a member of
Congress.
Assignment Two: Write to a member of Congress
o If I want my students to become educated and engaged with local and national
governments, then a great way to reinforce activism would be to communicate
with their member of Congress. Lobbying on an issue or for a cause will be a skill
that can be useful not only in government, but also for when students make their
way into the workforce.
Assignment Three: Congressional Campaign 2016
o The text thoroughly covers how incumbent Members of Congress have a
significant advantage and a high likelihood of winning a congressional advantage,
especially if they are in office for a longer period of time. An assignment that
focuses on a campaign will allow students to assume the role of an incumbent,
and then consider which issues or themes are important as someone who has held
office for a longer period of time.

Assignment One:

Dream Job

Instructions:
Reference Table 12.2 on Page 356 of the reading, and look at the section that lists Prior
Occupations. In an 4-6 sentence paragraph, pick an occupation that is listed in the demographic
table that catches your interest. Then, explain how different aspects of that job could be
beneficial if you were to become a Member of Congress (MoC).

Rubric:

Identifies a preferred occupation

_________/1

Explains the most significant tasks of the chosen occupation

_________/2

Connects roles in chosen occupation to roles as a MoC

_________/2

TOTAL

_________/5

Sample: Assignment One


Ari Gold
2/29/16

My favorite profession would be as a rich entertainment agent from California. I think


that as an agent, I would have to have strong people skills and lots of connections with some of
my clients or other agents in the industry. If I were to run for Congress, my campaign could be
supported by several famous people, which could attract voters in the district that I would run in.
Once I got to Congress, my wealth and connections could be used as leverage to create policies
or legislation that might affect the entertainment business.

Assignment Two:
Write to your member of Congress
Instructions:
Pick a current events issue that is important to you, your family, or other people in your
community. Because this issue is something that you would like to be addressed, you will write a
letter of concern to the member of Congress that represents your district. In the letter, you will
provide examples as to how the issue is affecting yourself or others. After you address the
circumstances behind the problem, propose a new law that the member of Congress could write
to fix the problem. Ensure that you remain professional in your writing!

Rubric:
Identifies correct member of Congress

_________/1

Raises an issue of concern

_________/2

Provides at least three examples of how the issue affects their area

_________/5

Maintains sense of professionalism throughout the letter

_________/1

Proper grammar/spelling

_________/1

TOTAL

_________/10

Sample: Assignment Two


3/14/16
Dear Congressman Goodlatte,
My name is Billy Walsh, and I am an 11th grade student at Harrisonburg High School. I am
currently enrolled in an government and politics class, and we are learning about Congress, its
members, and their re-election process.
I am writing to inform you about my concern over affordable health care. As I am sure you
know, Harrisonburg is a very diverse city where a lot of people with lower incomes live. When I
talked to some of my neighbors and other close family members, they were concerned about how
you will vote on the Affordable Care Act. If the Act is passed, then our state will likely receive
the necessary funds and online options so people can sign up for reasonably priced coverage. Not
too long ago, one of my best friends got hurt playing basketball, but his ankle didnt heal
properly because his parents couldnt afford to take him to the Emergency Room.
While I am thankful for my life and the opportunities I have been given, I want to make sure that
my parents, neighbors, and teachers are able to receive the health care that we deserve. I hope
that you will consider my story when it is time to vote.
Thank you for your time.
Very Sincerely,
Billy Walsh

Assignment Three:
Create a campaign platform

Instructions:
Pretend that you are completing your fourth term in Congress, and it is time to begin
campaigning for the 2016 Congressional election. This year, you will have an opponent that will
run against you, even though you have been the incumbent for the past eight years. It is your job
to create a flyer that will be passed around in your district, which will be seen by most of your
constituents.
Be creative in making your flyer! Feel free to come up with a creative campaign slogan, a funny
picture of yourself, or an attack on your opponent. The flyer should also include one policy or
promise that you will carry out, if you were to be re-elected.

Sample: Assignment Three

Works Cited

Edwards, George C.; Lineberry, Robert L,; Wattenberg, MartinP. Government in America:
People, Politics, and Policy. PP 355-359. Longman-Pearson Education, Inc. New York.
2009.
Fulton, Sarah A.; Maestras, Cherie D.; Maisel, Sandy L.; Stone, Walter J. Incumbency
reconsidered: prospects, strategic retirements, and incumbent quality in US House
Elections, Journal of Politics. Vol 72, Issue 1, PP 178-190. January 2010.

Stonecash, Jeffrey M. The 2014 House Elections: political analysis and the enduring importance
of Demographics, De Gruyter Berlin. Vol 12, Issue 4, PP 639-651. December 2014.

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