CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES STUDENT PACKET
Assignment Mission: Citizens in a democracy have the right and responsibility to make informed decisions. You will make an informed decision on a public issue after researching different perspectives of this issue.
Assignment Value: 300 points (plus passage of the Washington State CBA)
Pamphlet due date: March 2nd, 2015
Steps to take to complete your Social Studies CBA:
¨ I selected a public issue.
¨ I completed the “Big Picture” Graphic Organizer for Constitutional Issue CBA.
¨ I made sure that the issue…
ü relates to our democratic ideals*
ü relates to constitutional rights, protections, and responsibilities.*
* I reviewed the following list and connected the appropriate beliefs and principles to the issue I am studying.
Our democratic ideals are: / Constitutional Principles are:Justice Common Good
Equality Diversity
Life Truth
Pursuit of Happiness Patriotism
Liberty Popular Sovereignty / Popular Sovereignty Civil Rights
Separation of Powers Human Rights
Limited Government
Checks and Balances
Federalism
¨ I researched background policies, and multiple stakeholders’ perspectives related to the issue.
* (You need to have the following information for each stakeholder.)
ü I reviewed a variety of credible sources. (primary and secondary sources)
ü I found relevant, reliable, and valid information.
ü I have triangulated my data of potentially bias resources.
ü I collected evidence of research (hard copies, notes, paraphrased summary)
ü I have evidence that I read and analyzed research materials (notes, charts, questions, underlining)
ü Identified connections between this stakeholder’s point of view and our democratic ideals as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights.
¨ I used and documented at least one primary source and several secondary sources.
ü I included at least two or more references from a foundational document (U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and/or Declaration of Independence)
ü I have collected at least three secondary sources on my issue that are valid, reliable and credible (double-checked statistics, looked for bias, etc.); I identified facts and opinions.
¨ I used my graphic organizer and my notes to complete a draft of my pamphlet.
COMPONENTS OF THE PAMPHLET
· Issue Position: 3-5 paragraphs including your introductory paragraph (which should contain a hook for the reader) and your thesis statement (claim) about the issue. You also want to give the reader a little taste of your overall position in this section by summarizing a few of your arguments here.
· Individual Rights: Convince the reader that it is in their INDIVIDUAL BEST INTEREST to agree with your position, citing their individual rights. 3-5 paragraphs in length with reference to an American Historical Document and an American Ideal. Use statistics or quote from your secondary sources to add to your argument.
· Common Good: Convince the reader that it is in AMERICA’S BEST INTEREST to agree with your position, citing the common good. 3-5 paragraphs in length with reference to at least one American Historical Document and at least one American Ideal. Use statistics or quote from your secondary sources to add to your argument.
· How Does the Constitution & Amendments Support My Position: 3-5 paragraphs in length. Must have at least one reference to the Preamble. Must have at least one reference to a Constitutional Principle or a specific Amendment that supports your position. Use statistics or quote from your secondary sources to add to your argument.
· What is the Issue: at least 5 paragraphs in length. Clearly describe what your issue is and explain what the other side says about the issue, and also explain why the other side is wrong with their opinion. Clearly describe the history of your issue using secondary sources when possible (who, what, when, where, why and how). Clearly describe why the issue is important today.
· Call to Action: 3-5 paragraphs in length. Describe at least five ways that any average American that believes the same as you, can do to get involved and further your issue or cause. Be specific in the details.
· Who is Involved: List the groups who are involved in your issue and agree with your position. List the groups who are involved in your issue and disagree with your position. List any groups who are affected by your issue but do not have a stated position (innocent bystanders).
· Bibliography: Should have a minimum four secondary sources that were used in the writing portion of the pamphlet. Should also put at least one primary source (historical American document) that were used in the pamphlet in the bibliography as well. Any photos or images that were used must be put into the bibliography.
· Images: At least 3 statistical images are used to support your position (charts, graphs, etc.) and are listed in the bibliography. 1 additional picture may be used for emphasis on your position.
· Highlighting: Text is appropriately highlighted within the document following instructions listed in the student checklist packet.
· Title and Name: the main title & student name/class period are appropriate in size. See student checklist.
· Parenthetical Citations: All citations should be done correctly within the writing. You may use a citation building website to create your bibliography and citations. See www.noodletools.com
· Spelling/Grammar: All spelling and grammar mistakes are required to be fixed before the final draft is printed. All sections should be proofread by an adult to check for mistakes.
· Spacing/Margins/Fonts/Borders: All are within the requirements listed in the student checklist.
CREATING THE PAMPHLET
FONTS: Use Calibri Font - “No Spacing” style!!!
Main title: 36 (max) Section Titles: 28 (max)
Main Body: 16 (max) - (“No Spacing” style!!!)
Margins (Layout) - Right (1.25) Left (1.25)
Top (.50) Bottom (.50)
Colored borders (¼ inch in size) surrounding each section of writing and each picture
Materials you will need to bring: THUMB DRIVE TO SAVE YOUR WORK!!!
glue sticks, scissors, ruler,
colored border paper (if you want something special)
Highlighting Your Sections:
Blue – Key Democratic Ideal (Just the term, not the entire sentence)
Green – Constitutional Principle (Just the term, phrase and/or the meaning of the amendment)
Pink - Parenthetical Citations (Just the citation, not the sentence)
Yellow – The (at least two) additional pieces of credible information (data, survey, testimonial, etc.) that supports your position. (Highlight the entire sentences that contain the information.)
Important Information:
1. You are encouraged to do a good deal of research at home and will be given nine days of class time to collect resources and complete your pamphlet.
2. You are required to score a 3 or higher on all areas of the CBA Rubric in order to receive a passing grade on this activity.
3. All work you do on this assignment must be your own work. You may not work with or help any other student on this CBA. Once we begin this CBA, I will be limited in the amount of help and guidance I can give you as you work on this activity.
4. You need to have 5 or more sources of outside information (books, articles, magazines, journals, etc.)
5. This assignment is a challenge; however, follow the steps above to make the process less intimidating. Good luck!
LAYOUT OF THE PAMPHLET
FRONT SIDE
Fold @ 8 inches Fold @ 8 inches
BACK SIDE
** Check your graphic organizer AND the section above to see where the different information goes on the board.
TIMELINE TO THE PAMPHLET
This is a schedule for finishing on time. However, I do recommend working ahead of this schedule to give you time to create high quality project. Do NOT fall behind this schedule or you will have a difficult time finishing the task by the due date.
2/12 – START TO RESEARCH POTENTIAL TOPICS
- Pass out and discuss Constitutional Issues Student Packet
- Work on Constitutional Issues "Big Picture" Graphic Organizer
2/13 – CONTINUE TO RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC
- Work on Constitutional Issues "Big Picture" Graphic Organizer
- Pass out and discuss Constitutional Issues Student Checklist
- Pass out and discuss Constitutional Issues CBA Rubric
- Research Topics Head Starters... Students Who Need More Support
- Bibliography: Citation Machine Link
3 DAY WEEKEND- RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC & GATHER INFORMATION FOR EACH SECTION IN THE PAMPHLET
2/17 - CONTINUE TO RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC
- Pass out and discuss Constitutional Issues Student Checklist
- Pass out and discuss Formatting Your Bibliography
Parenthetical Citations
Bibliography Sheet
2/18 – WRITE A DRAFT THESIS STATEMENT FOR YOUR ISSUE POSITION BASED ON YOUR TOPIC
- Pass out and discuss Thesis Statement
- Show Issue Position Example
- Make students aware of Issue Position Template
2/19 – WRITE A DRAFT FOR CONNECTION TO INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND COMMON GOOD
- Discuss Individual Rights & Common Good Example Statements
- Show Individual Rights Template
- Make students aware of Common Good Template
2/20 -- WRITE A DRAFT FOR YOUR BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
- WHO IS INVOLVED?
- WHY IS IT IMPORTANT AS IT RELATES TO A DEMOCRATIC IDEAL?
- Background Information:
* What is the Issue? Template
* Who is Involved? Template
2/23-- WRITE A DRAFT FOR REASONS FOR POSITION
- REASONS FOR POSITION
- CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE (PREAMBLE GOAL & AMENDMENT)
- ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING INFORMATION (DATA, COURT CASE, EXPERT, ETC.)
- Reasons for Position:
* How the Constitution Supports My Position Example
* Democratic Ideals Example
* Two Additional Pieces of Credible Information
* Constitutional Principles Template
2/24- FINISH YOUR FOR REASONS FOR POSITION AND FINISH WRITING YOUR FINAL DRAFT
- REASONS FOR POSITION
- CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE
- ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING INFORMATION (DATA, COURT CASE, EXPERT, ETC.)
- Work on Reasons for Position:
* How the Constitution Supports My Position Example
* Democratic Ideals Example
* Two Additional Pieces of Credible Information
* Constitutional Principles Template
2/25- Work on Two Additional Pieces of Credible Information (in any section)
- Work your Call to Action
* Call to Action Template
2/26 - Finish up Parenthetical Citations and Bibliography
- Print out & Cite 3 Visual Aides (Charts, Graphs, Maps, one picture)
- Highlight Components - see checklist
- Check over the final checklist to see if you have met all requirements.
- Print and put together your pamphlet
2/27- PROOFREAD YOUR FINAL WORK & PRINT OUT & PUT TOGETHER YOUR PROJECT
3/2- COLLECT PROJECT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD!