What is Public Policy?

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Overview

This lesson explains what public policy is. Students examine newspapers to find examples of public policy and discuss how public policy affects their lives.

Grade Levels

5 - 8

Objectives

Students will:

• explain what public policy is;
• identify examples of public policy; and
• describe how public policy affects their lives.

Estimated Time

1 day

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: An Ordinary Day
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device
• Four Copies of the local newspaper
• Chalk and chalkboard, a marker and whiteboard, or marker and overhead projector

Procedure

1. Ask the class, “What is public policy?” Make sure students understand that a public policy is a decision or action of government that addresses problems and issues. Some policies are passed into laws, and some policies are contained in rules and regulations.
2. Divide the class into four groups and give each group a copy of the local newspaper. Ask each group to find one article that reflects its understanding of what public policy is.
3. Have each group share its article and explain why it thinks the article is an example of public policy.
4. Ask students to name some things they have done in school that day. Write these activities on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or overhead transparency. Discuss how public policy influences these activities. Explain to students that these are just some examples of how public policy affects their lives. Every year legislators pass into law public policies that promote the general welfare. These laws affect students’ lives more than they probably realize.
5. Use a projection device to show students the An Ordinary Day E-Learning Module. Discuss the impact of laws on their everyday lives.
6. For homework, write a diary entry that, like the module they just viewed, explains the many different public policies which affect their daily activities.

 

Extension Activity

Cross-Curricular Connection

Have students write a poem or paint a picture that shows how public policy affects their lives. Or suggest they tape record an interview with an adult who describes how many laws or regulations affect their daily adult activities.

 

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. List at least two examples of how laws have impacted your life.
2. Describe how legislators debate, discuss, and pass into law public policies that affect individuals and society.

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. Explain what public policy is.
2. Identify at least two examples of public policy.
3. Describe how public policy affects your life.

Scoring Guide for Diary Entry

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct spelling and grammar	5
Good beginning, middle, and end	5
Describes daily activities	30
Explains how public policies affect their daily activities	60

 

Lesson Plan Feedback

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