UNIT 4 POLITICAL PARTIES
Democratic Citizenship - Mrs. Grover
Thursday, 10/13 – Goal: Describe the functions of political parties
Read p. 460-461 to identify the 6 functions of a political party. COMPREHENSION STRATEGY: Draw an
illustration for each of the 6 functions of a political party.
ADD ON one of the following:
 Write a plan for a commercial convincing people to support a political party by referring to at least 3
functions. Get a handout from Mrs. Grover with more instructions.
 Create a dialogue between two revolutionaries, one promoting violence and the other promoting the use of
political parties to effect change. The dialogue should discuss the effectiveness of political parties in
achieving the goals and functions of any political party.
Friday, 10/14 - Goal: Describe the role of minor parties
Read pp. 453-454 (up to Rise of American Parties) + pp. 455-458 Using the red headings as rows, create 2column notes
ADD ON one of the following:
 Create a political cartoon that illustrates one of the positive functions of minor parties in our 2-party system in
spite of obstacles.
 Create a dialogue between two voters discussing if voting for a minor party is a wasted vote. Be sure to
discuss impacts and obstacles
 Create a new minor party by defining a name and 4 major goals. Describe what type of party your new party
is and how your new party will work overcome the obstacles
Monday, 10/17 – Tuesday, 10/18 – Goal: Explain how the appeal of political parties to different types of
people has changed over time.
Read handout. Do the following:
Create an illustrated timeline to show the change in political parties discussed in the handout. Create an
illustration for each time period to show the political alliances formed during that time period. Explain what
changes you think will happen to political parties in the future.
Wednesday, 10/19 - Goal: Describe political party organization
NOTES: 3 TIERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
ADD ON one of the following:
 Explain how each of the 3 tiers of a political party relies on the other two tiers.
 Evaluate which of the tiers of a political party you think is most necessary for a party to succeed.
Thursday, 10/20 - Goal: Evaluate the effect of political parties on voters
Discuss p. 455 “Critical Thinking.” Read pp. 492-494. COMPREHENSION STRATEGY: Create Frayer
squares (include definition, example, opposite, and memory clue) for each of the following terms: Crosspressured voters, strong party voters, straight party ticket, weak party voters, independent voters
ADD ON one of the following:
 Write a paragraph on your opinion on whether political parties are successful in manipulating citizens. Be
sure to discuss “party identification” of voters.
 Evaluate whether the decline in straight party ticket is positive or not.
 Create a political cartoon illustrating the effect of political parties on voters
Monday, 10/24 – Day to work on A-layer work, make-up work, or free response question. Due Wednesday,
10/26.
 Go to www.politics1.com to identify information on specific minor parties that function in Ohio. Using the
information from the website, complete the following chart for any 8 parties you choose.
Name of Party
Purpose
Key Accomplishments
Key People
 Find the local offices and contact information for 3 minor parties in Ohio. Write a letter to one requesting
more information about the party.
 Identify the party leadership for both the national Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
 Create and administer a survey to find out what 20 students think about the role political parties play.
Summarize and analyze your results.
 Write the list of partisan offices that are on the Columbus ballot in this November election. Identify both the
Republican and Democratic candidates as well as any third party candidates.
 Make a chart to summarize the viewpoints of both the Republican Candidate and the Democratic Candidate
for Ohio Governor.
 Create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting positions on key issues from the Democratic and
Republican “platforms.”
 Find and summarize 3 news events that relate to the goals for this unit.
 Find 3 political cartoons that express opinions regarding the different roles of a political party. Complete a
political cartoon analysis for each cartoon.
 Research on one of the minor parties. Create a visual presentation to describe the party.
 Research the Columbus local party organization structure for the Democratic or Republican Parties. Create a
flyer that explains how a citizen could get more involved with that Party.
 Research why Democrats are concerned with the 2010 election. Write an essay trying to convince either a
Democrat or a Republican of voting with the party in 2010.
 Research any candidate in the 2010 election. Create a list of the top 25 reasons why you would or would not
vote for this person.
 Research the symbols associated with the Democratic and Republican parties. Create a visual presentation
that identify and explains the key symbols.
 Research to find 3 data sets evaluating the idea of whether political parties are declining. Create a poster
presenting the different data and thesis derived from the data.
 Research to find job opportunities working for a political party.
 Conduct an interview of a local political party leader to find out how he or she became involved with politics.
Record both the questions and answers to your questions.
 Research how the “Tea Party” was formed. Describe its main goals and create a timeline indicating key
events and people.
 Research efforts of either the Democratic or Republican Parties to win voted of Hispanic or other minority
citizens.
Tuesday, 10/25 – From a list of essay choices, select and write essays that demonstrate basic knowledge
related to unit goals – 10 pts.
Use the “The Golden Rules of Writing” Handout and the Social Studies Writing Rubric. Pick the questions
about which you know the most. Be sure your answer presents the content you learned in this unit. Pick the
questions about which you know the most.