1. 12/23/16: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Analyze the underlined portion. -Hand in notebooks!
Today: Who has the power to influence, make and change policy? How can I participate in creating and changing public policy?

2. Notice: Policy Update! You do not have to clear out of your locker!
You can keep your locker BUT
You must register the locker number
You must secure the locker WITH A SCHOOL LOCK
You may not use your own lock
Lockers must be registered and secured with a school lock by December 23.
Unregistered lockers or lockers with non school locks will have the locks cut and the contents emptied.

3. Unit 3 Essential Questions
What is the power of public policy?
Who has power to influence, make, and change public policy?
How will you participate in creating and changing public policy.

4. To do: What does it mean to “petition the government?”
Anyone over the age of 13 can post a petition to the white house (
If the petition gets more than 100,000 signatures in a month the White House will convene a meeting with representatives from the major policy offices to review it.
This group decides whether the policy should go on to the president – what do you think influences their decision?
Pick up the “Petitions” handout and “Letters to the President”
Complete in groups

5. Closure: What are 4 characteristics of a good petition?
Can you describe the commonalities between effective petitions and effective letters?
Extension – Try to write your own petition or letter.