The Relationship between Legislators and Constituents

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Overview

In this lesson students will discuss the role of a legislator and analyze the relationship between

legislators and constituents.

 

Grade Levels

5–8

 

Objectives

Students will:

• discuss the many roles of a legislator;
• explain why some people criticize legislators for not looking out for the interests of their constituents; and
• identify ways citizens can monitor legislators and hold them accountable.

Estimated Time

1 day

 

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Understanding Representative Democracy
• Projection device
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• One copy of The Many Roles of a Legislator per student
• Pencil and paper

Procedure

1. Distribute a copy of “The Many Roles of a Legislator” to students. Ask students to read this. Discuss the role of a legislator and the relationship between legislators and constituents.
2. Explain to students that Members of Congress are often accused of forgetting about the interests and concerns of their constituents. Discuss the reasons why some people may have this viewpoint. Ask students if they agree or disagree with this criticism.
3. Use a projection device to show students the “Representing Constituents” video clip from the Understanding Representative Democracy E-Learning Module. Discuss how legislators carefully consider constituent views but also reach their own conclusions about what is best for the nation.
4. Explain to students that in a representative democracy, it is important for citizens to monitor the work of their elected officials and stay involved. Ask students how they can monitor the work of legislators and hold them accountable. Students may say that they can call or write their representatives, visit their Web sites from time to time, or read and watch the local news.
5. Use a projection device to show students the “Keeping in Touch with Constituents” video clip from the Understanding Representative Democracy E-Learning Module. Ask students to take notes about the various ways representatives keep in touch with their constituents. Students should understand that legislators keep in touch with constituents through mail, e-mail, phone calls, visits, open office hours, town hall meetings, and by reading local editorials.
6. Ask students to interview at least three people of voting age and find out which forms of communication they have used to contact a legislator. If the adult has never communicated with a legislator, the student should find out why.
7. Allow students to share the results of their interviews with the class. If time permits, you may want to create a graph that shows how people in the local community communicate with legislators.

Extension Activity

Have students learn more about how their own representatives keep in touch with constituents.

Ask students to find out where the offices of their local representatives are located, find their phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and see if the local representatives hold any town meetings or have regularly scheduled open office hours. If so, have students attend a town meeting, or visit the local office when the Member of Congress is there, and report back to the class about it.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students the following questions and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Describe the role of a legislator.
2. Why do some people criticize legislators for not looking out for the interests of their constituents?
3. Name at least three ways citizens can monitor legislators and hold them accountable.

Scoring Guide for the Legislator’s Relationship with Constituents

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct spelling and grammar	10
Good beginning, middle, and end	10
Persuades citizens to hold legislators accountable	10
Briefly discusses why it is important to monitor the work of legislators	10
Lists at least three ways citizens can stay informed about what their legislator is doing	30
Lists the various things their legislator does to communicate with constituents	30

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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