1. Civic Engagement Influencing the Government Unit 2

2.  Take the next 5 minutes in your groups and come up with at least 5 phrases that use the word “public” that we can share with the class. Let’s see what these phrases all have in common. Influencing the Government Public The word “public” is generally defined as something that is of interest or importance to the general population and not just to one small group. **Share out

3. As we read together from today’s handout, listen for these 3 phrases. I will be asking you to give me definitions about what you think they mean based on our text. **Share out ► Public sphere ► Public agenda ► Public policy Influencing the Government ► Public Sphere – A place where society discusses the issues that affect everyone ► Public Agenda – A list of issues that much of society agrees are a priority ► Public Policy – Government actions in the form of laws

4. We will be using a graphic organizer to help define these 3 terms. Write these terms in the boxes shown here. Why do you think there is such a big gap between “Public Sphere” and “Public Agenda”? What did we just read that could give us a clue? Influencing the Government Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda What are 3 ways the issues move from the Public Sphere to the Public Agenda? Use that big space to explain how. How do things become Public Policy? (leave these boxes at the bottom blank for now) Explain how 1) 2) 3) **Keep this organizer handy – we will keep coming back to complete it as we go through this unit!**

5. The Role of Media Checking for Understanding: As I read these statements, give me a “thumbs-up” if you think it is yes or a “thumbs-down” if it is no.

6. Influencing the Government Take the next 10 minutes to complete this worksheet and then we will go over it together in class.

7. Influencing the Government How well did we do?

8. Checking for Understanding Influencing the Government We’ve been discussing the public sphere and how it is created. Open your notebooks, and in the next 5-6 minutes, write a well crafted argument about why you feel the public sphere is or is not an important component of society. Be sure to cite examples from the reading!

9.  Different types of media surround us every day – examples are TV, radio, newspapers, and the Internet. The Role of Media Who can give me an example of the latest television newscast you saw? Do you remember what the pictures they used in the story? Who do you think made the decisions about which stories the newscasters discussed?

10. Look at these recent headlines  Are these issues global, nation or local?  Have you heard these issues being discussed in the public sphere? http://http://www.timeforkids.com The Role of Media Thousands gather to mark the 50 th Anniversary of the March on Washington Israelis and Palestinians Get Set to Restart the Peace Process Four Divers Rescued by Coast Guard off Panama City

11. On the copy of the article I just passed out, as we read the article out loud as a class, number each paragraph on the left hand side of the page beginning with #1. Take the next 6 minutes and read the story again individually. This time as you read, use this graphic organizer to identify any evidence that reveals the author’s view on this issue. Be ready to share what you find with the class. **Share out The Role of Media

12.  Why is it important to understand the point of view of the author in the news story?  Can the author’s point of view influence the reader? Take a look at this “The Role of Media” handout. Let’s read as a class the first paragraph. What dos this article say is the difference between “media” and “the media”?

13. Let’s check to be sure how well we understand these terms. As I read a question, give me a “thumbs- up” if it’s “true” and “thumbs-down” if it’s “false”. Influencing the Government

14. Let’s go back to the graphic organizer we worked on earlier. The Role of Media Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda In the 1 st box on the bottom left, label it “The Media”. Write its definition from our reading – be sure to make it a complete sentence. The Media The Public Sphere is a place where society discusses the issues that affect everyone. “The Media” is a term for agencies that communicate news to the public. Let’s continue by reading through “The Role of Media” as a whole class. What are the 3 main ways the media monitors and influences the government.? Write thise in the 1 st box too. Gatekeeper Agenda Setter Watchdog (Leave this box blank for now) (Leave these boxes blank for now)

15. 1. Daily Sentinel – “Be supportive of the military.” 2. Global Gazette – “Make people feel like part of a global community.” 3. Local Dispatch – “Call people to action in the local community.” 4. Star Bulletin “Make money by getting reader’s attention.” The Role of Media This next activity can use scissors and glue. Take the next 6 minutes with your groups to decide where each headline will best fit. **Share Out Let’s read the Agenda of each paper so we can tell which have a global agenda, a national agenda or a local agenda. 1. 3. 2. 4.

16. The Role of Media 1. Daily Sentinel – “Be supportive of the military.” 2. Global Gazette – “Make people feel like part of a global community.” 3. Local Dispatch – “Call people to action in the local community.” 4. Star Bulletin - “Make money by getting reader’s attention.” **Share Out Which papers did your groups decide were the best fit for these headlines 1-2-3 or 4?

17. Let’s go back to the graphic organizer we worked on earlier. The Role of Media Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda The Media Issues move to the Public Agenda when discussions generate enough interest that people want to make them a priority. (Leave blank for now) What is the impact of the media monitoring and influencing government? Does the media make citizens aware of issues in the government? Can citizen awareness from the media impact what happens in the government? (Leave this box blank for now) (Leave blank for now)

18. Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda Let’s return to the graphic organizer so we can complete it. The Role of Media What is the impact of the media monitoring and influencing the government? Does the media make citizens aware of issues in the government? Can citizen awareness from the media impact what happens in the government? Issues move to the Public Agenda when discussions generate enough interest that people want to make them a priority. Gatekeeper Agenda Setter Watchdog If we wrote a summary statement as part of the last box that best explains the impact of the media on the government., could it look like this? The Media The media can have a great influence on the government by making citizens aware of important issues that may need new policies written or laws changed or added to protect the people due to their watchdog role. Other than the Media, what are 2 other things that impact Public Policy? Add these to the middle and far right boxes now: Interest Groups Individuals Do not write in this space yet.

19. Who decides what is offered for lunch in the school cafeteria? Are there any rules about what is served in the cafeteria? Who might care about what students eat every day? Why are they interested? Interest Groups As you get these “Interest Groups” packet, let’s read the 1 st page as a class. What are the two sides of “The Potato Debate”?

20. Let’s read page 1 together: Interest Groups

21. Let’s fill in the bottom portion as we discuss the Potato Debate. Use complete sentences to answer the questions below. What are 1 or 2 effects that this regulation might cause each group? Would students miss them? Would there be healthier selections instead? What would they plant instead? Would they have to sell their farms? Would it cost more money to provide healthier choices? Would lunches be more expensive? Would students stop buying lunches?

22. Let’s read together 1 st 2 paragraphs at the top of page 2, and the “terms to Know” table: Interest Groups

23. As I read the mission statements from each of these organizations on the left, you can tell me where each of these examples on the right would best fit: Interest Groups

24. Let’s read these mission statements from 5 interest groups. Interest Groups  Center of Science in the Public Interest  The National Potato Council Where would these 2 groups fall?

25. Interest Groups Let’s read from the worksheet: As we come up with suggestions as a class, fill in the blanks on your worksheet:

26. Interest Groups We will do this worksheet together on the next 2 slides, but make the same notes on yours: (Continued on next slide)

27. Interest Groups (Continued from previous slide)

28. Interest Groups As we read let’s thing about what effect the power of interest groups can have on the Public Policy.

29. Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda Go back to our graphic organizer and take another look at the middle box. Fill it out as we discuss these points: What did we just learn about how Interest Groups can affect Public Policy? Issues move to the Public Agenda when discussions generate enough interest that people want to make them a priority. Gatekeeper Agenda Setter Watchdog The Media The media can have a great influence on the government by making citizens aware of important issues that may need new policies written or laws changed or added to protect the people. Do not write in this space yet. Interest Groups Lobbying – Interest groups hire lobbyists to meet with members of the government and discuss the group’s issues and concerns. Endorsing Candidates – Interest groups will officially support candidates during elections. Raising Money – Interest groups that want to raise money for candidates must form a political action committee. Interest Groups Lobbying Endorsing Candidates Raising Money (Don’t put your organizer away…we have 2 more boxes to complete) If we wrote a summary statement as part of the last box that best explains the impact of Interest Groups on the government., could it look like this? Interest Groups’ impact can vary, but they are often successful in getting government officials to take their issues into consideration.. Do not write in this space yet.

30. Interest Groups As I pass out this worksheet, work with your groups for about 8 minutes and then we will review the answers as a class.

31. Interest Groups OK – Time’s up – Let’s see how well you did! Now that we’ve learned about Interest Groups, how do you think these groups got what they wanted and achieved the actions they set out to do?  Gained Public Support?  Lobbied Representatives in Government?  Influenced Politicians?  Got donations for their causes?  Raised money to make commercials for radio & TV?

32. This list is a copy of the Top 20 Interest Groups giving money to members of Congress between 2011 and 2012. http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/fecfeca.shtml#Contribution_Limits Interest Groups  What issue is this table focusing o?  How do you know?  What does this have to do with Interest Groups?  Based on the amounts of money contributed, what can you summarize about the impact of interest groups on congressional candidates?  What evidence in the table led you to your answer?

33. This list shows the Contribution Limits for 2013-2014 http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php Interest Groups  What issue is this table focusing on?  How do you know?What does this have to do with interest groups?  How might this table and the information from “Opensecrets.org” be related?  What does this tell you about the impact of interest groups?  What evidence in the table led you to your answer?

34. Public Sphere Public Policy Public Agenda Let’s go back to our graphic organizer and take another look at the 3rd box. Fill it out as we discuss these points: What did we just learn about how Individuals can affect Public Policy? Issues move to the Public Agenda when discussions generate enough interest that people want to make them a priority. Gatekeeper Agenda Setter Watchdog The Media The media can have a great influence on the government by making citizens aware of important issues that may need new policies written or laws changed or added to protect the people. Interest Groups Voting – Individuals can influence government by casting a vote. Attending Civic Meetings– Individuals can monitor and influence government by attending meetings and learning about issues. Petitioning the Government – Individuals can influence and monitor by creating or signing petitions. Running for Office – Individuals can influence government by running for office and making their opinions known. Interest Groups Lobbying Endorsing Candidates Raising Money Individuals Voting Civic Meetings Petitioning Running for Office Individuals can have an impact on government most effectively is to run and be elected for office – that makes them part of the government. Interest Groups’ impact can vary, but they are often successful in getting government officials to take their issues into consideration. If we wrote a summary statement as part of the last box that best explains the impact of Individuals on the government., could it look like this?

35. Making a Difference As an individual, if you want to influence government and make sure that your views are heard, what might be the most effective way to accomplish that goal?  What if you want to communicate your views to your local representative – what would be the most effective way to accomplish THAT goal?  What if you want to support a candidate’s campaign as they run for government office? Make sure you keep your graphic organizer handy as a study guide for this unit. (How many of you think you just might see some of these questions on a test later?)

36. Influences on Government Checking for Understanding Using what you have learned in this lesson, write a well-crafted argument explaining why it is or is not important to be aware of the methods individuals, the media, and interest groups use to monitor and influence government. Cite specific examples from our lesson to support your argument. I will expect that your answer will be at least 3 paragraphs long and 5 sentences per paragraph. You can use the remainder of class time today to complete it, and if you are not done please finish it as homework. I will be asking for them to be turned in tomorrow.