Introduction
You have just turned 18! You are finally an adult.
One of the responsibilities that comes with becoming an adult is voting.
So you decide to register to vote, but on the form it asks what political party you are in.
Political party? Huh? Of course you have heard of the Democrats and Republicans, but what do they really stand for?
You decide to do a little more investigation before declaring your political affiliation.
It's time to do some research!
Task
You are going to research six of the major political parties in the U.S. and decide which one you fit in with the best.
Once you decide where you fit in find another person in the class that shares your political affiliation.
You and your partner will then create a pamphlet or poster that explains why the party you chose is the best one.
You will present this to the class and be able to defend your choice to them.
Process
Partners or individually.
Step One: The first thing you should do is think about what you want your political party to accomplish for the country.
Do you want more taxes and more government services, or less taxes and government services?
Do you agree with the war in the middle east?
Do you think we need to tighten up immigration or have open borders?
Should we have free health care for all, or should people provide that for themselves?
Once you have an idea on what you want the government to do for you, look for the political party that you most identify with.
Step Two: Look at the political party web sites listed below and read the goals (platforms) at the following web sites:
a. Repblican party- www.gop.org
b. Democrat party- www.democrats.org
c. Green Party- www.greenparty.org
d. Libertarian Party- www.lp.org
e. Reform Party- www.reformparty.org
f. Socialist Party- http://socialistparty-usa.org/
After researching the sites choose a party to join.
Step Three: After you declare your political party affiliation,
find another person in the class that shares your views and is a member of your party.
If there is no one else in your party, or if you work well individually, you may work alone.
Step Four: With your partner you will be creating a poster (full size) for your political party.
You will present this to the class and field questions and comments about your party.
Your poster will contain the following information:
* A brief synopsis of the main beliefs of your party
* Three of the main issues that your party is currently concerned with
and where they stand on those issues
* Your party's slogan needs to be on the project or you may create a new one based on your knowledge of the party
* The party symbol must be on the project
* Highlight a famous or important member of your party. Explain their importance to the party. They may be alive or dead.
Step Five: Create an APA bibliography for your project on a separate sheet of paper.
Be sure to cite sources of images and information in your text.
Step Six: Now that your poster is finished you will present your political party to the class.
The presentation should highlight the information on your project.
After your presentation you will field questions and comments from your fellow classmates.
They will challenge your assertion that you belong to the best political party.
Be prepared to respond to them.
Conclusion
So you figured out where you stand in the world of political parties.
Hopefully this will help you to better understand our government and how it works.
For those of you that were unhappy with your choices for political parties there are more available (over 100 in the United States). :)
You have just turned 18! You are finally an adult.
One of the responsibilities that comes with becoming an adult is voting.
So you decide to register to vote, but on the form it asks what political party you are in.
Political party? Huh? Of course you have heard of the Democrats and Republicans, but what do they really stand for?
You decide to do a little more investigation before declaring your political affiliation.
It's time to do some research!
Task
You are going to research six of the major political parties in the U.S. and decide which one you fit in with the best.
Once you decide where you fit in find another person in the class that shares your political affiliation.
You and your partner will then create a pamphlet or poster that explains why the party you chose is the best one.
You will present this to the class and be able to defend your choice to them.
Process
Partners or individually.
Step One: The first thing you should do is think about what you want your political party to accomplish for the country.
Do you want more taxes and more government services, or less taxes and government services?
Do you agree with the war in the middle east?
Do you think we need to tighten up immigration or have open borders?
Should we have free health care for all, or should people provide that for themselves?
Once you have an idea on what you want the government to do for you, look for the political party that you most identify with.
Step Two: Look at the political party web sites listed below and read the goals (platforms) at the following web sites:
a. Repblican party- www.gop.org
b. Democrat party- www.democrats.org
c. Green Party- www.greenparty.org
d. Libertarian Party- www.lp.org
e. Reform Party- www.reformparty.org
f. Socialist Party- http://socialistparty-usa.org/
After researching the sites choose a party to join.
Step Three: After you declare your political party affiliation,
find another person in the class that shares your views and is a member of your party.
If there is no one else in your party, or if you work well individually, you may work alone.
Step Four: With your partner you will be creating a poster (full size) for your political party.
You will present this to the class and field questions and comments about your party.
Your poster will contain the following information:
* A brief synopsis of the main beliefs of your party
* Three of the main issues that your party is currently concerned with
and where they stand on those issues
* Your party's slogan needs to be on the project or you may create a new one based on your knowledge of the party
* The party symbol must be on the project
* Highlight a famous or important member of your party. Explain their importance to the party. They may be alive or dead.
Step Five: Create an APA bibliography for your project on a separate sheet of paper.
Be sure to cite sources of images and information in your text.
Step Six: Now that your poster is finished you will present your political party to the class.
The presentation should highlight the information on your project.
After your presentation you will field questions and comments from your fellow classmates.
They will challenge your assertion that you belong to the best political party.
Be prepared to respond to them.
Conclusion
So you figured out where you stand in the world of political parties.
Hopefully this will help you to better understand our government and how it works.
For those of you that were unhappy with your choices for political parties there are more available (over 100 in the United States). :)