Political Parties Web

QuestCE.5

Introduction Task Procedures and Resources

Additional Tasks Additional Resources

Conclusion

Evaluation Submission of Assignment

Web Quest created by Paula Pulley2008

Introduction

As a result of this web quest, you will be able to:

• Describe the functions of political parties

• Compare the similarities and differences of political parties

• Understand how third parties differ from the two major parties

• Determine which political party is right for you

Task

• Your class will be divided into groups of 4.• Each group will be assigned to research a

political party• Your group will:

• Identify your candidate• State your candidate’s platform to include their

position on 5 key issues: Education, environment, health care, taxes, and the Iraq War.

• At the conclusion of this web quest, students will have the opportunity to complete a quiz to determine which political party is best for them.

Procedures & Resources

• There will be 4 members in each group:• Campaign Manager• Policy Manager 1 – Education and Environment• Policy Manager 2 – Health Care and Taxes• Policy Manager 3 – Iraq War

• Begin your research on the candidate that has been given to you by your teacher. Click the links above for detailed instructions on what each member of your group will be doing.

Campaign Manager

• Who is your candidate? Where is he/she from?• Where did your candidate attend college? What

did he/she study?• What did your candidate do after college? Did

he/she work? What did he/she do?• What has your candidate done to prepare

him/herself for the awesome role as President of the United States. Did he/she serve in Congress? Was he/she a Governor or Mayor? What other political positions has this person held?

• Is your candidate married? Any children?

You will write a biography for your candidate. The biography should includeanswers to the following questions. This biography should be created usingPowerPoint. Go to the Resources Page here for answers to the questions.

Policy Writer 1Education & Environment

You will write a political platform for your candidate. The platform will include your

candidate’s position on the issue of EDUCATION and the ENVIRONMENT.

Where does your candidatestand on this issue? Go to the Resources Page and choose

Democrats on the Issues or Republicans on the Issues.

If you are researchinga 3rd Party, go this this Resource Page for your information.

You will use Power Point for this assignment.

Policy Writer 2Health Care and Taxes

You will write a political platform for your candidate. The platform will include your

candidate’s position on the issue of HEALTH CARE and TAXES. Where does your candidate

stand on this issue? Go to the Resources Page and chooseDemocrats on the Issues or Republicans on the Issues.

If you are researchinga 3rd Party, go this this Resource Page for your information.

You will use Power Point for this assignment.

Policy Writer 3Iraq War

You will write a political platform for your candidate. The platform will include your

candidate’s position on the issue of the IRAQ WAR. Where does your candidate

stand on this issue? Go to the Resources Page and chooseDemocrats on the Issues or Republicans on the Issues based

on who your candidate is.

If you are researchinga 3rd Party, go this Resources Page for your information.

You will use Power Point for this assignment.

Additional Tasks-time permitting-

• If time permits, students can perform the following tasks that directly relate to the web quest:• Which Party Is Right for You? Access the

following website and answer the questions to determine which political party is right for you.

• Students will create a brochure, using Microsoft Publisher, promoting their candidate and their party.

• Students will create a 30-second commercial, using Movie Maker, about their candidate and party.

Additional Resources

• http://www.democrats.org/index.htmlDemocratic Party

• http://www.rnc.org/Republican Party

• http://www.congressforkids.net/Elections_politicalparties.htm

Political Parties

• http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/index.html

Biographies of Past Presidents

Conclusion

• After completing this web quest, the members of your group will have:• An understanding of how different parties view

different issues• Looked at issues from different perspectives• Chosen a position and supported it• The ability to gather appropriate information from

various sites• A working knowledge of the internet and the use

of hyperlinks

Evaluation

• Click on the following link to access the rubric for this assignment.

http://www.spsk12.net/schools/jfkms/Staff/TechnologyWebSite/Rubric.mht

Submission of Assignments

• Each member of your group will have a power point presentation. You will name your presentation this way:• NameofCandidate_PoliticalParty_YourLastName

For example: Clinton_Democrat_Pulley

• After saving your presentation, you will then drop the file into the Student Folder in the Temporary Storage. Directions for doing this can be found by clicking this link.

• Your teacher will then be able to access and grade your work.