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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
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:
_________/1
_________/2
_________/2
TOTAL
_________/5
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
_________/2
Provides at least three examples of how the issue affects their area
_________/5
_________/1
Proper grammar/spelling
_________/1
TOTAL
_________/10
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.
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.