Democracy in Action Ms. Ockimey, Ms. Braxton and Ms. Jones Social Studies WebQuest Grade 5; Cohort 3 Leonard V. Moore School

Student Pages Introduction This WebQuest integrates the language arts, math, social studies, and technology curriculums as you embark on an exciting learning adventure about Democracy in the United States of America today. Now that power is spread between the Democrats and the Republicans, compromise will become key to getting any legislation approved. However, since Republicans and Democrats have different ideas about how to solve America's biggest problems, our political future will be one of the greatest tests of democracy in action. Create your own platform to let your voice be heard!

Task First, you will read articles about current events in politics. Then, you will complete interactive activities related to the articles. Next, you will be introduced to your mission as an effective citizen. ▫ Research information about political parties and their views. ▫ Identify with your political beliefs by inventing a political party. ▫ Create a name and symbol for your political party. ▫ Compose an advertisement and speech about why your political party is the best choice for our government today. Finally, present your party’s political platform to your class.

Process Part 1: Article Research Scholastic Election 2010 Article America Votes! Article Republicans Website Democrats Website What is Congress? Article Election Map Congress by the Numbers Composition of Congress

Part 2: Interactive Activities -Use the “Congress by the Numbers” link to create 2 bar graphs. The bar graphs should show the number of representatives and senators that represent each party. Use this graph maker. Create A Graph -Use the “Composition of Congress” link to create a graph showing the change in the number of Democrats in Senate from now. Create another graph showing the change in the number of Republicans in Senate from now. Use the link below. Remember to choose an appropriate graph. Hint: These graphs show change over time. Create a Graph - Use RACE to answer one out of the three open-ended questions below about the research articles. ▫Which article was your favorite? Why? ▫Which article would you recommend to a friend to teach them about the current political conflicts in our nation? Why? ▫Which article taught you new political information? Explain the new information that you learned.

Part 3: Create your Advertisement ▫ Your advertisement has to include:  your invented political party’s name  a symbol for your political party  graphics: words, pictures, or slogans that present your political party as the best one ever ▫ Make sure it is neat, colorful, and creative.

Part 4: Written Speech Write your speech. ▫ Write about why your political party is the best choice for our government today.  Use description, details, and convincing reasons to support your opinion.  Add transition words to help your speech flow.  Check your speech for correct sentence construction and mechanics.

Part 5: Convince the Class Oral Presentation ▫Present your advertisement to the class.  Use loud and clear voices.  Refer to your advertisement as you present each section of your speech.  Make your presentation interesting and convincing!  Smile and have fun!

Rubric for Graphs

Open-Ended Scoring Rubric 4 clearly demonstrates understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides an insightful explanation/opinion that links to or extends aspects of the text 3 demonstrates an understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides some explanation/opinion using situations or ideas from the text as support 2 may address all of the requirements, but demonstrates a partial understanding of the task, and uses text incorrectly or with limited success resulting in an inconsistent or flawed explanation 1 demonstrates minimal understanding of the task, does not complete the requirements, and provides only a vague reference to or no use of the text 0 irrelevant or off-topic Reading

Evaluation Rubrics AdvertisementExcellent4Good3Fair2Poor1 A. Required Content (party’s name, party’s symbol, graphics) All required information is displayed Most of the required information is displayed Some of the required information is displayed Very little or no required information is displayed B. Creativity Shows maximum amount of creativity Shows a moderate amount of creativity Shows some creativity Shows very little or no creativity C. Effort (neatness, color, organization) Put forth maximum effort Put forth a moderate amount of effort Put forth some effort Put forth little to no effort

Evaluation (continued) Rubric Written Speech Excellent4Good3Fair2Poor1 A. Information Contains all required information. Contains most of the required information. Contains some of the required information. Contains little or none of the required information. B. Content Details are very convincing. Details are mostly convincing. Details are somewhat convincing. Details are not convincing. C. Organization Speech is well organized. Transitions and headings are always used between key ideas. Speech is moderately organized. Transitions and headings are usually used between key ideas. Speech is somewhat organized. Transitions and headings are used somewhat between key ideas. Speech has very little or no organization. Transitions are rarely or not used between key ideas. D. Sentence Construction Variety in syntax is effective Variety in syntax is effective Very few or no errors Very few or no errors Some variety Some variety Generally correct Generally correct Little variety in syntax Little variety in syntax Monotony Monotony Some errors Some errors Numerous errors Numerous errors Assortment of incomplete and/or incorrect sentences Assortment of incomplete and/or incorrect sentences E. Mechanics Few or no errors Some errors that do not interfere with meaning Pattern of errors evident Numerous serious errors; may detract from meaning

Evaluation Rubrics (continued) Oral Presentation Excellent4Good3Fair2Poor1 A. Tone Always spoke loudly Spoke loudly most of the time Spoke loudly sometimes Rarely or never spoke loudly B. Clarity Always spoke clearly Spoke clearly most of the time Spoke clearly sometimes Rarely or never spoke clearly C. Focus on Audience Kept eye contact with the audience most of the time Kept eye contact with the audience sometimes Rarely kept eye contact with the audience Never kept eye contact with the audience D. Advertisement as Reference Always referred to the advertisement to present their viewpoints Referred to the advertisement to present their viewpoints most of the time Referred to the advertisement to present their viewpoints sometimes Rarely or never referred to the advertisement to present their viewpoints

Conclusion Congratulations! You have analyzed and contributed to the politics of our nation. You have begun your journey to becoming an effective citizen!

Teachers’ Page Focus: “Democracy in Action ” is an interactive social studies unit that is sure to increase student motivation for learning history. This WebQuest integrates the language arts, math, technology, and social studies curriculums. The students experience the learning of political parties in the present state of our nation. Prerequisites: Students should have had prior experiences and a basic knowledge of map skills, civics, creating graphs, power point presentations, internet research, oral presentations, advertisements, and writing persuasive speeches. Class Description: This WebQuest will be completed by all three fifth grade classes in Cohort 3. It is composed regular education students, special education students, ELL students, basic skills students, and gifted and talented students. New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards: ▫Social Studies: 6.4,5D5, 13, 15 ▫Language Arts: 3.3,5D1-9; 3.2, 5A6, 7, 8, 13; B2, 9, 10; C1; D1-5, 10, 13,15, 16 ; 3.1,5E2,G1,4,6,9,10,11 ▫Technology: 8.1,5B6 ▫Math: 4.4,6A1, 2, 3 Objectives/Goals: SWBAT: ▫Research and identify the platforms of current political parties. ▫Graph and analyze data of the current Congressional structure. ▫Compose a persuasive speech. ▫Create and construct an advertisement. ▫Persuade fellow classmates to support their political party’s platform as an oral presentation. ▫Synthesize and analyze information on democracy and political parties. ▫Evaluate the effects of current Congressional structure on our democratic nation.