Originally, the leaders of the early American society did not like the idea of political parties. Upon his retirement in 1796, George Washington warned Americans against "faction" brought about by political parties. James Madison thought political parties were probably necessary, although he did not entirely approve of them. Alexander Hamilton thought that political disagreements were to be guarded against always. Thomas Jefferson
declared in 1789, "If I had a choice to go to heaven but with a certain political party, I would not go at all." Nevertheless, the men who held these views founded the
first two great American political parties.
A political party is a group of people organized to support certain political agendas. The purpose of a political party is to elect likeminded people who will try to carry out their party's policies. A political party sets
out positions on a range of issue. When people disagree about what the government should do, voters then
get to share their opinions by voting for the people that most closely reflect their ideals. Political parties
provide a way for the public to easily identify a person’s viewpoint.
Therefore, the purpose of this assignment will be to create the atmosphere of political parties within our classroom over the next four days.
Day One
The first day of this activity you will vote on certain constitutional issues that we have researched in class. You will select a number that best reflects your viewpoint
on the issue. After completing your selections, you will then total your score at the lower portion of the page.
From here the class will be divided into groups that have similar scores. If the groups are too large, they will be split up. It will be ideal that we have six groups.
Once you are in your group you will need to select the name of your political party. This must be a name that everyone agrees on and reflects the personality of your group. This name should not reflect the loudest person in your
group.
The next step on day one will be to select your group leader (Presidential candidate) and a backup group leader
(Vice President). Again, these people should be considered the spokespeople for your group who can best represent
your group.
Finally, you will need to decide which group member will do the following parts:
1.
Write up your pollical stance by establishing at least three political statements
2.
Someone will need to create a political slogan
3.
Someone will need to create a political poster
4.
It will be essential that everyone in the group understand their role so they can maximize their time the next day
Day Two and Three
On this second and third day, your group leaders must take charge and make sure your group is organized and getting things accomplished. There will be three parts that must be finished by the end of the third day.
On the provided poster, your group should outline what your political parties core beliefs are. You can select the topics you want
to discuss; however, you should have at least three issues that you can take a stand on. Remember, your primary objective will be
to convince your classmates that they should vote for your party’s leader as they will be the one that can best represent the class.
While a few group members are working on your political agenda statement, you can have a couple others working on a party
slogans. A party slogan is a short distinctive saying that will reflect your party’s core beliefs. It is intended to draw attention to
your party as being clever, smart and still intellectual. These slogans should only be one sentence and must be appropriate.
The final part of this day’s assignment will be for a group member to make a party campaign sign. You can design this on a small
piece of paper and then transfer onto the back of your poster. So, one side of your poster will have your political agenda or statement and your slogan and on the other side will have you campaign sign.
Please note that it will be very important that your group work together and cooperate. You must divide up your responsibilities and get these finished. Each member
will need to have time with the group poster to get their information on the poster.
Day Four
Today will be the culmination of your hard work. Today, each group will have five minutes
(or more which will depend on how many groups we have in the class) to highlight their
political agenda, share their slogan and show off their poster. Your group leader, President
will share your political stance and highlight your group’s pollical agenda. Your group’s
Vice President will share you campaign slogan and show off your political poster. Once your
group has presented you will hang up your poster in the room.
Finally, the class will vote for one candidate that best represents them. The catch to this
election is that your group cannot vote for their own candidate!
The winning group will receive the class prize.
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Do school authorities have the right to search your cell phone? …………………………………
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Do school authorities have the right to search your school locker? ……………………………..
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Should students First Amendment Rights be limited at school? …………………………………
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Do school authorities have the right to impose bussing to enforce equity?...............................
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Do school authorities have the right to require ethical codes for student athletes? ……………
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Is education the responsibility of the government or should it be privatized? …………………..
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Do schools have the right to impose a dress code? ………………………………………………
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Do school authorities have the right to preview and censor school newspapers? ……………..
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Please indicate which group is your party by filling in the square. You then can vote for one candidate other than your own party!
Group One
Group Four
Political Party - ________________________
Political Party - ________________________
Group Two
Group Five
Political Party - ________________________
Political Party - ________________________
Group Three
Group Six
Political Party - ________________________
Political Party - ________________________