Unit 2 Elections, Politics, and the power of persuasion

Journal/Bell Ringer #1 10-6/7-15 How would you define politics? What is a political party Give me an example of politics in action?

10-6/7-15: The SWBAT understand what politics are and how it affects our government and our culture Journal/Bell Ringer #1 Notes over politics. Video clip over politics Chapter 5 worksheet

Politics Process of government, or the methods by which people get, keep, and use power in a country or society. Art and science of government. Political party is a group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public offices. This is a very broad definition

Political Party A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office

What do parties do? Nominate candidates to run for office. Informing and activating supporters The bonding agent function. Ensure good performance by its candidates. Governing. Based on partisanship. What does this term mean? Acting as a watchdog. Especially when they are not the party in power.

How many major parties do we have? We have two and they are the democrats and the republicans

Two-Party System In the United States today, only candidates from the two major parties, Democratic and Republican, have a realistic chance of winning elections for public office.

Why a Two-Party System in U.S. Historical Basis – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists. Force of Tradition – “It’s always been that way.” Historical Basis – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists. Force of Tradition – “It’s always been that way.” The Electoral System – Discourages minor party success due to Single-Member Districts, and election laws passed through Bipartisan cooperation. American Ideological Consensus – Shared ideals, basic principles and patterns of belief. The Electoral System – Discourages minor party success due to Single-Member Districts, and election laws passed through Bipartisan cooperation. American Ideological Consensus – Shared ideals, basic principles and patterns of belief.

Plurality In an election, the number of votes that the leading candidate obtains over the next highest candidate. The largest number of votes cast for an office. In an election, the number of votes that the leading candidate obtains over the next highest candidate. The largest number of votes cast for an office. Pluralism (Pluralistic society) Term used to describe a society which consists of several distinct cultures and groups.

Minor (Third) Parties Develop around single issues. Goal of influencing people’s opinions on those issues. Must achieve a coalition to govern. Develop around single issues. Goal of influencing people’s opinions on those issues. Must achieve a coalition to govern.

Coalition A temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government.

Party Membership Patterns Both parties are broadly based to attract as many voters as possible. So each is composed of a cross section of U.S. population. Certain segments of the electorate tend to be aligned more solidly with each party, however. Both parties are broadly based to attract as many voters as possible. So each is composed of a cross section of U.S. population. Certain segments of the electorate tend to be aligned more solidly with each party, however.

Factors influencing party affiliation Family Major Historical Events Economic Status Age Place of Residence Education Level Work Environment Family Major Historical Events Economic Status Age Place of Residence Education Level Work Environment

Bell Ringer/Journal #3 for 10-12/13-15 Despite differences in political beliefs many Americans share the same ideals, principles, and the same patterns of belief. Do you believe this? Give me two examples.

The SWBAT to understand the history of the two party system and how it affects the politics and government in the United States 10-12/13-15 Bell Ringer #3 Group project

Group Project Instructions Break into three groups of Read platform for the party you are given. Answer questions on the sheet that is given to you. Each person needs to do this. You can do it as a group. Make sure you put the number of your platform on your sheet. After this is done we will mix the three groups so there is a mix of people from all three platforms. You will then come up with a consensus of what party your group likes best based on the info from the three parties you went over.

Bell Ringer #4 for 10-14/15-15 Do you personally think the two party system is in decline? Why? What is bias? What is propaganda?

The SWBAT better understand political platforms and the political process through group work, readings and classroom discussion /15-15 Bell Ringer Finish platform group work. Finish notes for unit 5 Make sure chapter 5 overview is finished. Video clip over political parties.

Bell Ringer #5 for 10-16/19-15 What kind of voting restrictions have we seen in the United States? Why did they change? What kind of voting restrictions do we have now? What is suffrage?

The SWBAT understand voting rights and the different amendments that changed them 10-16/19-15 Bell Ringer Political Spectrum quizzes Notes over voting rights chapter 6 Learning outcomes game

Bell Ringer #6 for 10-20/21-15 Why do you feel people do not vote? Is there any way to influence more people to vote in elections. Please explain two of the amendments that affected voting rights.

The SWBAT understand voting, and voter behavior Bell Ringer Finish chapter 6 notes JFK’s Civil Rights speech and video guide Vocabulary on page 174 Know the words under political dictionary. They will be on the quiz next class and you can use them.

Bell Ringer #7 for 10-26/27-15 What do you feel are three of the most important issues facing the soon to be new President of the United States?

The SWBAT understand the election process better by understanding how the nominating and elections take place Bell Ringer Quiz chapter 5/6 Notes over chapter 7 Go over splinter party project

The SWBAT understand better how politics and political parties work by creating their own. Bell Ringer Go to the computer lab for the first half of class. Notes over chapter 7

Bell Ringer #8 for 10-28/29 DEFINE PUBLIC OPINION. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE HAS THE LARGEST IMPACT ON THIS?

Bell Ringer #9 for 11-2/3-08 Out of all the candidates running for President, which one do you think you would vote for right now and why?

The SWBAT understand how the political parties and process works by creating their own party Bell Ringer Worksheet for chapter 7 Library time for party platforms

Bell Ringer #10 for 11/3/4-15 From the debate what was something that was said that you agreed strongly with? Why? What was something you disagreed with? Why?

The SWBAT better understand the election and voting process by watching a recent debate and reflection on the process through discussion and notes Questions over project Watch last republican debate Bell Ringer discussion over GOP debate Counselor survey (20 minutes) Chapter 7-8 notes Finish chapter 7 worksheet

Bell Ringer #11 for 11-5/6-15 If you were running for an office what would be your approach in a debate? Who do you feel did a good job in the last republican debate? Who did poorly? Why?

The SWBAT understand how the political parties and process works by creating their own party Bell Ringers for today and last class. Finish chapter 7-8 notes. B Day Chapter 8 independent work or video clip. Make sure chapter 5 and 7 are done. Second Half of the class will be in the library working on political parties. Presentations start next week.

Bell Ringer #12 for 11-9/10-15 What is an interest group? What is a PAC? Name some of the interest groups around our school? Why are they important? How do they influence things?

The SWBAT understand how interest groups affect politics and what the electoral college is Bell Ringer Review “I know, I know game” for candy Chapter 7 worksheet needs to be finished. Notes over chapter 9 and part of 8. Interest groups and the electoral college. Presentations No school on Wednesday Thank a Veteran for their service.

The idea that someone votes for candidates all from the same party is Straight Ticket

The person currently holding office during an election year is Incumbent

Allegiance to a political party Partisanship

A party platform can be described as The issues the political parties take stances on.

How is a president formally chosen? Electoral college

Each state sets three things for requirements to vote Citizenship Age Residency

Bell Ringer #13 for 11-12/13-15 What do you feel someone should know to be a citizen of the United States of America? Do you feel you could pass the naturalization test?

The SWBAT understand the election process a little better through review and listening to party presentations. Bell Ringer 13 Review picking random folks Presentations Go to the library to fill out college applications the second half of class.

Who sets voter and election qualifications? The states

Developed around single issues where the main goal is to persuade voters on certain issues Interest groups

A states number of electoral college votes are equal to their representation in the: Congress

The right to vote is called Suffrage

On the political spectrum, a moderate would most likely Favor a middle of the road philosophy

This is the spread of information in order to influence and audience Propaganda

Bell Ringer #14 for 11-16/17 List the 5 amendments and that have affected voting rights in the United States.

The SWBAT better understand this unit on voting and election policies by reviewing the material Bell Ringer Finish any presentations Wrap up any notes not covered Review game. Things from last unit that will be on the test.

Know these items from last time and how they influenced our Constitution/Government Parliamentary government Articles of Confederation Declaration of Independence Mayflower Compact Separation of Powers Great Compromise

Bell Ringer #15 for 11-17/18 What did the Civil Rights Act of 1965 do for voting? What is the difference between voting split ticket and straight ticket? What is bias?

The SWBAT show what they know from unit 2 by meeting proficiency on the unit test Bell Ringer Review Wrap up anything not completed for the unit Unit 2 test Collect bell ringers