Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Politics: Who Is in Control?
Patricia McAdams
Bay District Schools
Description
Students will read the article "Council Members Clash over Administrator's Job." They will be asked to think about how they would feel being placed in the same situation. All students will participate in role playing the news article.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
SS.C.1.4.4
The student understands the role of special interest groups, political parties, the media, public opinion, and majority/minority conflicts on the development of public policy and the political process.
HE.B.3.1.7
The student knows various ways in which to resolve conflict using positive behavior.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
Critical and Creative Thinkers
04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.
Cooperative Workers
08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity.
Materials
- Class copies of the news article "Council Members Clash Over Administrator's Job" from The News Herald Panama City, Florida June 27th, 2001 (See Attached File.)
Preparations
1. Make copies of news article (see Attached File).
2. Assign students a character for role-playing.
Procedures
This is a Conflict Resolution lesson. It addresses the Goal 5 Standards.
The students know how to use effective interpersonal communication skills that enhance health.
1. Tell students that some political people are in class today. This will open up a discussion (who, where, etc.).
2. Explain to the class that an administrator and a group of council members are here with us today. (Students will wonder where they are since there are only the class members and the teacher in the room.)
3. Students will share what they know about the jobs an administrator and city council members perform.
4. Tell students that today they are politicians. Teacher should assign roles according to the students' personalities: commissioner, administrative assistant, mayor, media, etc. All students will participate.
5. Students will be given the article "Council Members Clash Over Administrator's Job." (See Attached File.)
6. Ask students to read the article and to think about the actions. Possible questions are as follows: Are they appropriate? Why or why not? Will these actions affect you in any way? What would you do differently? Are they setting good examples for the public? Should the media publish these types of meetings?
7. Next, students will role play the article and compare their actions against what really happened.
8. During these activities, the teacher will observe class participation, responses, and peer interaction.
Assessments
Students will learn the role of a politician's job.
Students will experience politics in action.
Students will learn how to control their emotions.
Students will have positive peer interaction.
Students will resolve a "Political Conflict."
Students will learn strategies for effective communication.
Teacher will observe students in class participation, role-playing, and class discussion.
If an essay is assigned on the suggested topic, the Florida Writes rubric (see Web Links) can be used to score the essay.
Extensions
Changing the reading activity to fit the grade level can modify this lesson. This lesson can be shortened for lower grade levels.
Web Links
Information about the FL Writes Rubric
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