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Video Session: Use an appropriate taped CT-N session
of the Connecticut House of Representatives or Senate discussing a bill
with clearly defined party arguments. Check our
Hot Topics page for ideas.
Common Core State Standards: R2: Determine the
central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide
an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or
opinions. Content: While viewing a CT-N videotaped
Legislative session of a proposed legislative bill, students will
identify and evaluate what makes a good legislator and what would
influence their decision when deciding who to vote for.
Additional Materials Needed:
- Viewing worksheet provided at the end of the lesson
- Technology to show the CT-N session debates
Class Time: 1 class period.
Objectives: Students will: identify and evaluate the
characteristics that make a good legislator and decide what would
influence their decision when deciding who to vote for.
Activity:
- Explain to students that one of the biggest responsibilities of
a citizen is to exercise their right to vote. They need to become
educated and knowledgeable about their representatives when deciding
who to vote for.
- Begin the lesson by asking the question: What are the important
characteristics that make a good legislator? For example, the
legislator must be honest, open to public opinions, etc.
- Start a “chalk talk” on the board. As students brainstorm their
ideas, have them come up and list these characteristics on the
board. This can turn into a mind-map with connections or simply be a
brainstorm of words.
- Once students have finished their list as a class, have them
take a look at the list and point out what they see. Ask students to
evaluate if any of these characteristics are more important than
others. Point out any connections that may have been made.
- Explain that, keeping in mind the characteristics they just came
up with, they will be watching a CT-N videotaped Legislative session
of a proposed legislative bill. Pass out the corresponding
worksheet. Students should watch the video and carefully fill out
the worksheet based on who and what they observe.
Debrief/Closure: After viewing the video, students
should share the notes they took on the people they observed. Have
students be specific in sharing what would influence their decision when
deciding who to vote for. End the class with an exit slip requiring the
students to answer the question: Based on what you saw and learned
today, why is exercising the right to vote one of the most important
responsibilities of a U.S. citizen? If you
have any comments or suggestions about this activity or would like to
submit your own activity, please
contact me and share your ideas.
As you watch the CT-N videotaped Legislative session of a proposed
legislative bill, take notes on the different people who come up to
speak. Choose at least three people to take notes on and answer the
following questions: Name: Title: Political
Party: Overview of argument:
Strength of argument (circle one): StrongMedium
Weak Was this person’s argument convincing (circle one)?
Yes No Key points of argument:
Positive characteristics: Negative
characteristics: Would you vote for
this person in the future (circle one)?: Yes
No Explain why: Name: Title: Political
Party: Overview of argument:
Strength of argument (circle one): StrongMedium
Weak Was this person’s argument convincing (circle one)?
Yes No Key points of argument:
Positive characteristics: Negative
characteristics: Would you vote for
this person in the future (circle one)?: Yes
No Explain why: Name: Title:
Political Party: Overview of argument:
Strength of argument (circle one): StrongMedium
Weak Was this person’s argument convincing (circle one)?
Yes No Key points of argument:
Positive characteristics: Negative
characteristics: Would you vote for
this person in the future (circle one)?: Yes
No Explain why:
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