POLITICAL PARTIES IN ACTION

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1 Learning Objectives: The students will POLITICAL PARTIES IN ACTION 1. Analyze the importance of citizens participating in the political process. 2. Utilize their problem-solving and decision-making skills to simulate the organization and functions of political parties. 3. Work cooperatively with classmates in order to achieve a common goal. 4. Exercise their right to vote. TEKS: 8.21A; Govt.11.A &C; Govt.15A Materials: copies of the party tickets, cut in separate strips; an overhead transparency or copies of the Political Parties Planning Page Template for each group, chart paper, markers, blank ballots Vocabulary: ban, political parties, prohibiting, public places, slogan Teaching Strategy: 1. Introduce the lesson by giving each student a ticket listing a political party position. Instruct students find other students with their position and form a group. The groups will represent the following viewpoints: Group #1 supports the position that there should be no regulations concerning the use of cell phones. Group #2 supports the banning of the use of cell phones in all public places. Group #3 supports prohibiting the use of cell phones by people who are driving motor vehicles. Group #4 supports the establishment of designated cell phone areas in all public places. 2. Give each group a Political Party Planning Page. Explain to students that their group should use the template and put the following information on chart paper: Create a name for your political party. (The name should represent your group s position on the issue of cell phone use.) Draw a picture of the symbol for your party. Create a campaign slogan for your party. Write a 1 to 2 minute speech stating the platform of their party. The speech should contain arguments supporting your party s position on cell phone use as well as reasons why class members should vote for your party.

2 3. Allow enough time for students to complete their planning pages. It should then be decided which 4 students from each group will make a presentation to the class. One person will state the name of the political party, the second person will show and explain the symbol of the party, the third person will relate the slogan of the party, and the fourth person will make the party platform speech. 4. The teacher should tell members of the class to listen carefully to each presentation because they will be voting on the platform that they most agree with, regardless of whether they worked on that platform or not. 5. After each presentation has been made, give students in the class the opportunity to ask questions for clarification, if needed. When presentations are completed, give each student a blank ballot and have them vote for the party of their choice based on the platform concerning cell phone usage. 6. The teacher should collect the ballots and record the results on the board or overhead. Students should then discuss the following questions: Why is it important for citizens to participate in the political party of their choice? What did you learn about how a political party works from participating in this activity? Why do you think most political parties have symbols to represent what they stand for? What other campaign items do political parties use? Do you think political yard signs, buttons, and bumper stickers influence how people vote? Why or Why not? What are ways that citizens can help the candidate of their choice get elected? What is it important for people to vote on issues that concern them? Should citizens be required to vote in elections? Why or why not?

3 PARTY TICKETS Political Party #1 Position Your party supports the position that there should be no regulations concerning the use of cell phones. Political Party #2 Position Your party supports the banning of the use of cell phones in all public places. Political Party #3 Position Your party supports prohibiting the use of cell phones by people who are driving motor vehicles. Political Party #4 Position Your party supports the establishment of designated cell phone areas in all public places.

4 POLITICAL PARTIES PLANNING PAGE TEMPLATE Create a name for your political party: (The name should represent your group s position on the issue of cell phone use.) Brainstorm a list of possible symbols for your party: Draw a picture of your party symbol Create a campaign slogan for your party and write it below.

5 Write a 1 to 2 minute campaign speech stating the platform of your party. The speech should contain arguments supporting your party s position on cell phone use as well as reasons why class members should vote for your party.