1. Making your voice heard
You are reasonably well-informed about the Mayoral Election…and you have issues you really want the next mayor to act upon. How do you make people listen?

2. You can make a difference
Watch the video below.
Kid President
Discuss with your group: What would you change in the world (or Atlanta)? How would you go about doing that?

3. A Kid making a big difference
Iqbual Masih- The Story of a Brave Child
Discuss: How does your environment impact who you are?
How can you AS A KID/YOUNG ADULT have an impact on your environment?
Identify several examples of ways you can make a difference.

4. One way to have an impact
Influence the way people think through writing letters.
Examples:
Write an “Op-Ed” or “Letter to the Editor” which is published in a newspaper
Write a letter to your parents or older friends to influence their views and who they vote for
Write a letter to a mayoral candidate to explain why you support them and what you would like them to do if/when they become mayor
The pen is mightier than the sword!

5. raft Role: Who are you as the writer?
Yourself, a student, well-informed about the mayoral candidates
Audience: To whom are you writing?
A mayoral candidate?
A newspaper?
A family member or friend?
Format: In what format are you writing?
A letter.
Topic: What are you writing about?
The mayoral election and the challenges that you see Atlanta/your neighborhood facing

6. brainstorming
With your partner - Create a graphic organizer to brainstorm your letter.
Be ready to present your graphic organizer to the class and explain the reason behind your design.

7. Key decisions about your letter
Based on your audience- Should you focus on one candidate or on a specific issue in more depth?
Based on your position/ideas: Should you focus on one issue (go deep) or several issues (more broadly)?
Discuss your plans with your partner

8. Make your Outline Green (your claim/thesis)
Yellow (reasons or key details)
Red (elaboration: examples and explanation)
Red
Yellow
Green (concluding statement)