Lesson Plan Summaries:

Students will:

• learn that Chancellor Joel Klein has challenged them to prepare testimony on one of six issues
• be introduced to the Election Connection Project and view the Process Map
• understand the roles that different levels of government (local, state, and national) play in the lives of citizens
• read the Issues Inventory and select one of the six issues to research
• critique projects and letters written by other New York City students

Students will:

• discuss the Issues Inventory and major points of each issue
• write two things they want to know about their issue
• review the Student Resource page on the Teaching Matters website
• practice note taking skills
• begin researching their issue

Students will:

• continue researching their issues
• nalyze their notes and separate their information into pro and con arguments (using the debate preparation worksheet)
• repare for next session's debate

Session Four – Debate the Issues and Form Your Own Opinion

Students will:

• participate in a formal debate presenting pros and cons
• ask and respond to questions from classmates
• listen and decide which arguments were most persuasive
• determine their point of view on their issue
• continue gathering research to support their position
• cast their opinion on the six issues using the Election Connection website (votes will be tabulated across New York City and will be available to students to assist with their research)

Session Five – Write Up Your Ideas

Students will:

• find out how other New York City students voted on the issues and think about how the results can be used to support their arguments
• review the Writing Rubric and the steps for writing a persuasive letter
• use graphic organizers for outlining
• identify the person and/or organization to whom they will be writing

Session Six - Edit and Revise Your Letter

Students will:

• continue to write and revise their essays
• use the provided rubric to engage in peer editing
• take action and mail the finished letters to their intended audience

Students will:

• form consensus around a position, under the teacher’s supervision
• plan a multimedia presentation to support their position
• take responsibility for a specialized job in their group like technology specialist, editor, or graphic artist

Students will:

• develop and complete their multimedia presentations
• check their own work against the presentation rubric to identify where changes should be made

Session Nine - Find Your Voice

Students will:

• deliver group presentations to the class
• evaluate other groups on their presentations with the provided rubric
• upload presentations to the Election Connection website
• be selected to attend the Town Meeting in June 2004

Session Ten- Let Your Voice Be Heard

Selected students will:

• attend the Town Meeting and deliver their presentations to local leaders
• submit their essays for publication on the Election Connection website