1. Writing Activity

EXPLORING THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why do people create, structure, and change governments? Take the role of a candidate for the local school committee. Write a short speech stating your plans for improving the school system. Pair with another student and take turns delivering your speeches. After each pair of speeches, the class will vote for its preferred candidate. 2. 21st Century Skills

WRITE A BLOG ENTRY Use a reliable Internet site to watch a video of a debate between two candidates for national or state office. Take notes on the plans outlined by the candidates. Decide, based on those plans, which candidate you support. Write a blog entry that identifies the candidates, the office they seek, and your preferred candidate. Explain your choice. 3. Being an Active Citizen

Do you plan to register to vote? Do you plan to vote? You have to be 18 to vote, but it is never too early to practice. Go to your state's Web site and download a voter registration form. Complete it. Write a paragraph explaining whether it was easy or difficult to do. 4. Understanding Visuals

Look at the cartoon. Answer these two questions: (1) What is the message of the cartoon? (2) Do you agree with the message? Explain why or why not. Now answer all these questions and make it sound like an 8th grader wrote the answers and make the answers very very short