1. Writing Activity

EXPLORING THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION How do citizens, both individually and collectively, influence government policy? Make a pamphlet explaining how citizens can play an active role in influencing government policy. Research different ways citizens can be involved. You might interview a party or group activist. Explain whether you think a citizen has more influence on policy by working as an individual or within a political party. Include activities citizens can perform as individuals and as part of a group.

2. 21st Century Skills

ANALYZING Create a media presentation analyzing the positions of the Democratic and Republican parties on three issues you care about, such as education, security, or the environment. Look for information in sources such as party Web sites, newspapers, and television news shows. Review the information about each party's position on the issues you chose. Then create a media presentation with slides on each issue. Briefly state each party's view and its good or bad points. Share your slide show with the class.

3. Being an Active Citizen

In a small group, identify an issue in your school or community that needs attention, such as creating a community garden or a new food bank. Write a letter to the local offices of the two major political parties and one smaller party explaining the problem and your idea for a solution. Ask them for comments and suggestions. As a group, prepare a presentation comparing the party responses. Which supported your idea? Which did not? Did they offer other solutions that made sense?

4. Understanding Visuals

Examine this political cartoon about the government deficit. A deficit occurs when the government spends more money than it takes in. What are the two characters saying? How do the statements of the two symbols reflect party beliefs? What point is the cartoonist making? Does the cartoonist think one party is more realistic than the other? 5. Match each of these terms with its definition. 1. political party 2. two-party system 3. national committee 4. political machine 5. third party 6. platform 7. direct primary 8. caucus 9. precinct A. a series of statements expressing a party's principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues B. a political party that challenges the two major parties C. a meeting of political party members to conduct party business D. a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters E. a system of government in which two political powers compete for power F. a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes G. representatives from the 50 state party organizations who run a political party H. an association of voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party's candidates to public office I. an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each political party in a general election

REVIEW THE GUIDING QUESTIONS

6. Identifying What issue prompted the emergence of opposing political parties in the early years of the United States?

7. Explaining How have third parties influenced American politics?

8. Describing How does a party's platform help citizens identify the differences between political parties?

9. Summarizing By what process are a political party's candidates for president and vice president chosen?

10. Specifying Which of the two forms of the direct primary prevents crossover voting?

11. Naming Which party often plays the role of watchdog, ensuring that members of the party in power do not abuse their power? Answer these questions and make it sound like an 8th grader wrote them and make the answers very very short and put the question before the answer is i can understand better