Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Project 2




Welcome Back Students!


The Electoral College

Today's Assignment involves some research & writing on the topic of the Electoral College.  You've heard me say that it is actually the electoral college that elects the President & Vice President.  The Electoral College is not with out serious controversy.  Its critics argue that it is not democratic since it is possible for a candidate to actually have more people  vote for him/her & still lose the election.  This is exactly what happened in   the 2000 election.  George W. Bush was elected even though Al Gore actually had more votes cast for him.  This type of situation took place in three other elections in our history as well.  You will research the Electoral College & answer in writing several important question.  Using your new found knowledge, you will first collect notes on a set of questions & then  write an essay using the Ceres Unified School District Rubric. You are encouraged to use the links provided, but you may also do your own searches.  This project will be undertaken over two visits to the computer lab.  Save your work to your student folder & use your time wisely.

This project addresses California State Standard 12.6.6  Analyze trends in voter turnout; the causes & effects of reapportionment & redistricting, with special attention to spatial districting & the rights of minorities; and the function of the Electoral College.
Learning Objective:  Students wil be able to articulate in writing the function & implementation of The Electoral College & the arguments for & against its continued existence as the means by which we choose the U.S. president.

Notes
Do Not Plagarize
Take notes in the following format.  You will turn in your notes in the end.
1) Do not take notes in complete sentences.  
2) Use no more than 5 words in each note.
3) Include in your paper a bibliography that contains the sources you used

Questions
Use the links below to take notes on the following questions.  Use the note taking format indicated above.   These notes will be the information you use to complete the persuasive essay below.   Include your notes at the end of your essay for review. 

Question#1 How does the Electoral College work today?  How did it work in the beginning of our nation's history?
Question #2 Has the Electoral College ever produced controversial results?
Questions #3 What are arguments against the Electoral College?
Question #4    What are arguments that are in favor of the Electoral College?
Question #5 What are some other ways that we could elect our president & vice-president? What are some alternatives to the Electoral College?c

 Putting your Notes into a Final Persuasive Essay 

You will first need a thesis or main idea sentence that draws a conclusion about the Electoral College or expresses your opinion .  Then use your notes for each of the question above to develop an essay. Summarize the important points concerning the pros & cons of the Electoral College.  Then give your opinions regarding the Electoral College.  Is it good? Is it bad ? Should it be replaced?  With what should it be replaced?  Summarize your evidence that supports your thesis.

Bibliography:  List all of your sources.  Include the web site, the author of the article if it is listed, the title of the article & the url web address. 




Links















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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Current Events Project #1

For your first political current  events project, I want you to learn about some very hot issues out on the campaign trail.  Jut about all observers are talking about voter identification laws & voter suppression.  What is it?  Some say that republicans are trying to keep certain people from voting in order to gain an advantage. Read the following articles & respond to the questions.   See the links below.  You may also find your own articles.  Here are some key terms. voter suppression, voter ID laws.

Vocab
Disenfranchise- to keep someone from voting
Swing State- a state whose electoral votes could go to either candidate in the general election because the popular vote of the citizens is so close.

Students need to respond to these questions in complete sentences.  Please word process your responses.
1) Why do republicans feel they need stricter voter registration & voter ID requirements?
2) What forms does voter suppression take?
3) What demographic groups are affected by voter suppression?  Are college students affected? How?
4)  Give two perspectives of why voter ID laws are being passed:  Give the democratic view & the republican view.  Which one of  the two do you come closest to believing?  Why?
5) Create a small poster on the back of your paper expressing what you think about voter suppression.

Use the following links to address the prompts above.  You may also find your own articles.

Links

Media Matters voter suppression overview
SF Gate Voter Suppression
Wikipedia Explains Voter Supression
Voter Suppression & Students
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Welcome Students! This space is designed as a learning tool to teach about government & politics . There will be some links & & other content here that relate to classroom activities. Remember to keep all posts school appropriate.


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A Classroom Resource for Central Valley High School Students


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