Ponchatoula Jr. High

UNIT 3: Government PROJECT

All students will be required to complete a Unit 3 Project. This project will be worth a major part of your grade. Students are responsible for their own work and may receive help from parents, other students, teachers, etc. The entire Unit Project assignment must be completed at home. Class time will be minimal. The project must be completed and turned in by the final due date.

The Unit 3 GovernmentProjectwill consist of the following:

  • Chart for Branches of Government
  • How a Bill Becomes a Law (Flow Map and Paragraph)
  • Compare/Contrast Louisiana Constitution and Federal Constitution
  • Letter to Mrs. Rose Dominguez
  • Letter to Mr. Steve Pugh

The entire project can be presented in a portfolio format. All written parts of the project must be typed. Typed work must be in Times New Roman or Arial font, no larger than size 12 font, double spaced only. Please print your work. Students who do not have printer access may hand-write their work neatly on loose leaf paper in blue or black ink ONLY (no pencil) Work must be neat and free of grammatical errors. Students may receive help from their peers or teachers for proofreading and correction of mistakes, but may not receive any other assistance.

Project Directions:

  1. Chart for Branches of Government
  • Complete Chart for Branches of Government
  • Names of Representatives, Qualifications, Terms, Responsibilities, and Checks and Balances
  1. How a Bill Becomes a Law:
  • Draw a flow map with the sequence of how a bill becomes a law
  • Write an explanation using the flow chart.
  1. Compare/Contrast the Louisiana Constitution and the Federal Constitution:
  • You must complete a double bubble map of at least 3 ways they are similar and 3 ways they are different
  • Write a paragraph explaining how the Louisiana Constitution and Federal Constitution are the same and how they are different.
  1. Letter to School Board Member
  • Write a persuasive letter to Mrs. Rose Dominguez to change a rule at school. (May not use colored jackets) You must have 4 paragraphs
  • Make sure you use proper salutation, closing, punctuation, and spelling
  • 1st – Introduction
  • 2nd – What is the rule you want changed and why
  • 3rd – Counter the argument (why do we have this rule or why it is needed) and solutions
  • 4th - Conclusion
  1. Letter to State Representative
  • Write a letter to Mr. Steve Pugh about a community problem. The letter must be 4 paragraphs
  • Make sure you use proper salutation, closing, punctuation, and spelling
  • 1st – Introduction
  • 2nd – The concern and why it concerns you
  • 3rd – Solutions to the problem
  • 4th - Conclusion
  1. Portfolio
  • Create a portfolio of your future
  • Must be kept in a 3-ring or 3-prong binder or portfolio cover, please use the same folder as your Cultural Project and your Future Goals Project.
  • Order should be
  1. Chart of Separations of Branches and Checks and Balances
  2. How a Bill Becomes a Law Flow Map
  3. How a Bill Becomes a Law writing
  4. Compare/Contrast LA Constitution and U.S. Constitution Double Bubble Map
  5. Compare/Contrast LA Constitution and U.S. Constitution explanation
  6. Letter to School Board Member
  7. Letter to State Representative
  1. Classroom Presentation
  • This will be elective for this project only. Students presenting their portfolio will receive 5 extra points

GRADING CRITERIA/SCORING RUBRIC

This assignment is worth 65points (see attached rubric). You will be graded on neatness & organization of portfolio, completing all map requirements, future goal sheet, writing a narrative essay, and your presentation. Note: If you do not bring the rubric on your day of presenting,5 points will be deducted from your overall grade.

PORTFOLIO DUE DATES

Completion of all Charts for Branches of Government October 13, 2015 (15 Points)

Completion of Flow Map and Explanation of Bill to LawOctober 22, 2015 (15 points)

Completion of Double Bubble Map and Explanation of

LA Constitution and U.S. ConstitutionOctober 30, 21015

Letter to Mrs. Rose Dominguez November 10, 2015

Letter to Mr. Steve PughNovember 20, 2015

Final Project to Turn InDecember 4, 2015