EDEX 750

October 3, 1995

Cindy Sommers

Tanya D. Richardson

LESSON THEME: Political Debates

TARGET AUDIENCE: Middle School and High School Students

OBJECTIVES: TSWBAT defend his political views.

TSWBAT plan and participate in a political debate.

TSWBAT choose a candidate based upon the political

views he follows.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

*Web Site:

Political Debate

* Software:

Decisions, Decisions: Budget Process by Tom Snyder

TYPE OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITY:

* The computer software, '"'Decisions, Decisions: Budget Process'"' will be used in small groups, as part of a group project.

* While groups of students work on the '"'Decisions, Decisions: Budget Process'"' program, other groups will be working on their political debates.

* The Web Site lesson can be used to help develop the debate format the class will use when working in groups.

PREREQUISITE SKILLS:

* The student will understand the need for a governing body.

* The student will have knowledge about the structure of checks and balances.

* The student will understand the function of both the federal and local government.

* The student will have knowledge about the duties of elected officials.

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

* Each student will be given a choice of the candidate he wishes to support.

* Students will be divided into groups based upon their individual choice. **Each candidate will have a group representing him.

* Each member in a group will be assigned a job.

- Spokesperson (Candidate) - acts as the candidate during the class debate

- Peace Keeper - tries to help everyone get along

- Secretary - records what is being done/discussed

- Clock Watcher - watches the clock to make sure group is on schedule

- Gopher - collects any materials the group needs

- Keyboard Controller - in charge of the keyboard when the group goes to the computer; when not at the computer, the keyboard controller is a gopher

- Inquirer- asks the teacher any questions the group has

* Students will work in small groups when using the program, '"'Decisions: Budget Process'"'. The program will give students practice in choosing a political view and defending it.

* Each student will defend, in writing, his candidate.

ASSESSMENT:

Each student will receive two grades. The first grade will be the grade given to the student by the group members. This grade is determined by how much the student participated in the group activities. The second grade will be based on how well the

student can defend his candidate/political views. This grade will be derived by using a teacher made grading rubric.