ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Congressional Decisions/Crash Course Government & Politics

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 Congressional Decisions/Crash Course Government & Politics

URL:

 https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/congress-politics-law-crashcourse-1010/congressional-decisions-crash-course-government-and-politics-3510/

Content Source:

 PBS
Type: Audio/Video

Overview:

In this episode, we talk about the three motivating factors of congressional decisions: constituency, interest groups, and political parties. We'll break down how each of these factors motivates certain actions like case work, public opinion polls, and logrolling.

Content Standard(s):
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 12
United States Government
7 ) Describe the process of local, state, and national elections, including the organization, role, and constituency of political parties. (Alabama)

•  Explaining campaign funding and spending
•  Evaluating the impact of reapportionment, redistricting, and voter turnout on elections
Unpacked Content
Strand: Economics, Geography, History, Civics and Government
Course Title: United States Government
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Outline the steps in chronological order of an election process, including primary elections.
  • Describe how the election process is in flux dependent on such things as voter turnout, party strategy, and the redistricting process.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • primary
  • gerrymandering
  • Electoral College
  • soft money
  • hard money
  • reapportionment
  • redistricting
  • "Get Out the Vote"
  • gubernatorial
  • caucus
  • party convention
  • political party
  • census
  • public financing
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • The process by which elections are carried out in state, local, and national elections.
  • The process by which state legislatures create and adjust congressional districts.
  • The major rules and regulations surrounding how candidates receive and spend campaign funds.
  • The methods and goals of political parties in appealing to various populations as a means of ensuring voter turnout.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • Organize components of the election process into chronological order, including primary elections.
  • Analyze state maps to assess the impact of redistricting.
  • Analyze tables, graphs, and charts to assess voter turnout and impact of.
  • Compare historical maps of state district lines and Electoral College outcomes to identify differences and shifts over time.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • The election process differs amongst office and level of government as well as how campaign spending, political parties, voter turnout, and redistricting can influence the outcome.
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.USG.AAS.12.7- Understand that public officials are elected to office; recognize that elections are held at the local, state, and national level.
Tags: constituency, interest groups, logrolling, political parties, public opinion polls
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  This resource provided by:  
Author: Ginger Boyd