1. It’s election day!

2. AGENDA December 7/8, 2011 1.Today’s topics:  Taking care of each other  Election Day!  Happy Birthday 2.Administrative:  Stamps: Article II analysis 3.Homework:  Keep up with reading & Glossary terms (see Unit 4 Guide)

3. Take Care of Each Other

4. If corn could vote…

5. Top Corn Producing States 2010/2011 YearStateBushels 2011Iowa2,334,150 thousand bushels 2010Iowa2,153,250 thousand bushels 2010Illinois1,946,800 thousand bushels 2011Illinois1,934,400 thousand bushels 2011Nebraska1,520,000 thousand bushels 2010Nebraska1,469,100 thousand bushels 2010Minnesota1,292,100 thousand bushels 2011Minnesota1,224,000 thousand bushels

6. Corn & Iowa’s Economy Iowa has produced the largest corn crop of any state for each of the past 14 years. In an average year, Iowa produces more corn than most whole countries. For example, Iowa grows three times as much corn as a country like Argentina. Corn has been the dominant crop in Iowa for more than 150 years! Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, creating nearly 30% of all ethanol. The ethanol industry has resulted in 50,000 new jobs in Iowa and accounts for $13 billion of Iowa GDP. Source: Iowa Corn (http://www.iowacorn.org/)http://www.iowacorn.org/

7. Iowa Corn: Economic & Political Implications 1.Do you think elected officials in Iowa are generally supportive of policies that support farmers? Why or why not? 2.What might happen to an elected official who voted against a subsidy for corn or corn products? Why? 3.What are the implications for presidential candidates when they campaign in Iowa?

8. It’s election day!

9. What is a caucus? NPR: Ken Rudin's Guide to the Iowa Caucuses http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17261569 NPR: Just How Do the Iowa Caucuses Work?

10. Time to Caucus! Form into groups by your preferred pie 1)Discuss / try to persuade others to join you or 2)Move to another viable group In several minutes I will eliminate the caucus with the least members and we’ll start again.

11. STAMPS Reminder: STAMPS only for work completed on time

12. Homework Before you leave  Pick up your belongings  Straighten desks Homework due next class:  Keep up with reading & Glossary terms (see Unit 4 Guide)