Cities in the Classroom - Jack Francis
Cities in the Classroom
Understanding Local Government
Mr. Francis – SS 08
Description: People of all ages can be ignorant of local political issues. The apathy of middle school aged students often reflects the apathy that they are exposed to at home. Perhaps by understanding how their local government works, they will be more likely to become involved in the process. This process can begin immediately, with letters to local political news outlets such as newspapers and blogs.
Agenda: Bell Work
Discussion
Small Group Projects
Preferred Learning Activity
Course/ Subject: U.S. History -- Government and Politics in Florida
Essential Question: “Who is the Mayor of Sarasota, Florida?”
Objectives: Students will know the name of the mayor and city council members. This objective will be enhanced by a visit to the City Hall to witness a City Council meeting.
SSS:
SS.8.A.1.1 Provide supporting details for an answer from text, interview for oral history, check validity of information from research/text, and identify strong vs. weak arguments.
McCrel Strategies Used: Cues, Questions, , Identifying Similarities and Differences, Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition, Practice, Cooperative Learning, Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback, Cooperative Learning
Kagan Strategies Used: Think-Pair-Share
Materials: Computers with PowerPoint capability and an ActivBoard
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Time Needed |
Student Work Expected |
Brief description of Activity |
Assessment |
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10 min |
Bellwork:
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Using laptops, students visit the City of Sarasota web-site to explore and find out the names of the mayor, and city council members. |
Informal |
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15 min. |
Whole Group Direct Instruction |
Whole class discussion about national, state, and local levels of government. Tell the class that they will be concentrating on local government. Brainstorm with the class how they can influence local government
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Informal |
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15 min.
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Tech Zone |
Research topic on computer – Paired in groups of 2 or 3 Have students keep an electronic journal/scrapbook with articles from the daily newspaper and internet sources showing interaction of the mayor, assembly, different service departments and the local citizens. For each article have them write a brief statement explaining how the actions in the article can affect their life, and how they might act to support and/or change local issues. Also include in the journal the name of the mayor, the city council, and the names of ten people who can vote in local elections.
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Electronic scrapbook graded and entered on-line |
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Small Group Differentiated Instruction |
Help with research skills as needed. Heterogeneous grouping.
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10 min.
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Whole Group Wrap-Up |
Preferred activity game styled after Monopoly that would incorporate some of the whole group discussion. |
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ESOL Strategies:
Word Wall, Model writing skills, Use text features or web resources to confirm information for assignments (such as indexes or glossaries). (F07, V05, VO7, V11, V17)
Cities in the Classroom
Why do we need local government?
Mr. Francis – SS 08
Description: Having students design there own cities and city government will help them to understand some of the complexities involved.
Agenda: Bell Work
Discussion
Small Group Projects
Preferred Learning Activity
Course/ Subject: U.S. History -- Government and Politics in Florida
Essential Question: “What does it take to maintain a successful city?
Objective: Develop understanding of some of the aspects involved in the maintenance of a small city like Sarasota.
SS.A.8.1.3 Analyze current events relevant to American History topics through a variety of electronic and print media resources.
McCrel Strategies Used: Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers, Identifying Similarities and Differences, Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition, Practice, Cooperative Learning, Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback Cooperative Learning
Kagan Strategies Used: Think-Pair-Share
Materials: Laptop Computers with PowerPoint capability and an ActivBoard
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Time Needed |
Student Work Expected |
Brief description of Activity |
Assessment |
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10 min |
Bellwork:
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Using laptops, students work in pairs to find the city of Sarasota on a map, and understand the physical boundaries. Think about why Sarasota is located where it is. |
Informal |
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15 min. |
Whole Group Direct Instruction |
Whole class brainstorms some of the reasons that people might settle in a particular region. Then, discuss all of the various city agencies that might be involved in such an endeavor.
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Grades on Angel Web -- |
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15 min.
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Tech Zone |
Students design their own city, with their ideas of the agencies needed, location, the taxes to be paid, etc.
Research topic on computer – Paired in groups of 2 or 3
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PowerPoint Presentations graded by rubric |
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Small Group Differentiated Instruction |
Help with research skills as needed. Heterogeneous grouping.
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10 min.
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Whole Group Wrap-Up |
Preferred activity game. Students are divided into three teams and answer questions connected to the day’s lesson. |
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ESOL Strategies:
Word Wall, Model writing skills -- Categorize needed resources with types of assignments based on pictures and oral descriptions (C06, VO2, VO4, VO5, VO7, VO10, VO11, W07). -- Express personal preferences or points of view (C09, C10, V02, V05, V10).
ESE Strategies:
