Personal Opinions

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Overview

In this lesson students examine some of the things that influence an individual's personal opinion about political events. Students will compare these influences with the influences of a local representative.

 

Grade Levels

5 – 8

 

Objectives

Students will:

• identify things that influence their own personal opinions about political events; and
• examine things that influence a representative's opinions.

Estimated Time

45 minutes

 

Materials Needed

• Interactive Learning Module: How a Member Decides to Vote
• Internet-enabled computer with Macromedia FLASH ®
• Chalk and chalkboard, marker and whiteboard, or an overhead projector

Procedure

1. Present and discuss the sources and types of influences that shape our personal opinions and the opinions of legislators. Ask students to name people, events, or things that influence their purchase of products or choice of movies. Make a list of their responses.
2. Make a short list of current controversial public policy issues that exist in your community and ask students to share their positions on these issues. After some discussion, ask them to list who or what has most influenced their opinions. Ask them to list the sources of information they used in forming their positions.
3. Next make a list of people, events, or things that students think probably influenced the President and Congress when they were considering the following legislation
   • Should the U.S. go to war with Iraq?
   • Should 18 year olds be given the right to vote?
   • Should girls have the same number of sports teams as boys in public schools?
   • Should taxes be increased so that class sizes in public schools can be reduced?
   • Should it be illegal for an employer to consider a person's race or religion in hiring?
4. Ask students whether they think elected officials should vote on a bill the way the majority of the community they represent want them to, or if they should vote based on the position they expressed when they campaigned for office (when there is a conflict between the two positions). Ask: How should a legislator make this decision? What factors should they consider? Discuss whether legislators are elected to be servants of the people, or leaders of the people in their community.

Extension Activity

Have students write to their local representative and ask him or her to explain why he or she voted for or against a particular bill.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Name three things that influence their personal opinions about political events.
2. Identify at least three things that they think influence their representative's opinions.

Lesson Plan Feedback

If you have suggestions for improving this lesson plan, or if you have ideas for others using the module, please let us know. We value your input. Thank you!

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