Jason+Dasinger+Mini+Module

=Jason Dasinger's Mini Module=


 * Grade and subject: **12th Grade American Government** ||
 * **Learning Objective**: Students will examine, analyze, and discuss the reasons why incumbents win congressional elections at a 90% rate, while the current approval rate in Congress is below 20%. Paying specific attention to how State's draw their district lines through the means of gerrymandering. Also looking at the effects of pork barrel politics on the electorate, while also focusing on media attention and political parties.

 **SSCG8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. **

 **a. Describe the organization, role, and constituencies of political parties. **  **b. Describe the nomination and election process. **  **c. Examine campaign funding and spending. **  **d. Analyze the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls ** ||
 * Learning Resources and Instructions:


 * 1) Students will play the Gerrymandering game to better understand how states' can redraw district lines for a partisan advantage. ( redistrictinggame.org ) **(Day 1)**
 * 2)  Students will watch the West Wing episode "5 Votes Down" to better understand the President's role in mid-term elections. **(Day 2)**
 * 3)  Students will read "Pork: A time Honored Tradition Lives On” Page 187 of Lanahan Readings**(Day 3)**
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.5;"> Students will read “ In Praise of Pork” page 190 of Lanahan Readings **(Day 3)**
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.5;">Students will read articles from "A More Perfect Constitution" and "More Sex is Safer Sex" to analyze different ideas for congressional reform. **(Day 5)** ||
 * Student Assessment:
 * 1) 1. Students will take a screen shot upon completion of Redistricting Game Mission 2 Basic. **(10 points) (Day 1) Click on the [|screencast] for an example**
 * 2) 2. Students will complete a ten question quiz based on the [|West Wing Episode “5 Votes Down”] **(20 Points)**
 * 3) **3.** Students will respond to the following prompt on the Discussion forum…” Compare and Contrast the benefits and consequences of the use of pork in passing a Congressmen’s legislative agenda. Do the benefits outweigh the consequences? Why or Why not. (please use specific evidence when posting) Students will also respond to two posts from their peers. **( 45 points…25 for original post and 20 for the responses) (Day 3 and 4)**
 * 4) 4. Students will write a campaign speech referencing at least three advantages of an incumbent. This speech will be posted to their Weebly Blog. **(25 points) [[file:blogrubric.pdf]] Student Example [[file:incumbentspeech.docx]]**
 * 5) 5. Students will write a 2 page paper identifying and explain two types of Congressional reform which would better Congress. Students are welcome to use and explain ideas from their readings or their own personal research. Please be sure to provide a works cited page at the end of your paper. **(100 points) (Day 7) [|Rubric]** ||