1. Rock the Vote: Elections and Political Parties
Unit 3
Unit Goal: Students will understand the purpose of the United States political system and be able to explain the impact of elections on government and society.
Rock the Vote: Elections and Political Parties

2. Rock the Vote: Political Parties and Elections
Students will compare current political parties’ ideas about government and evaluate the impact political parties have on society, government, or the political system.

3. Does anything look familiar to you in these pictures?
What do you think these pictures represent?

4. Parties of the American Political System
Communist
Party USA,
Democratic
Party,
Libertarian
Republican
Socialist
Party USA.

5. Political Parties
These are logos from political parties in the United States: Communist Party USA, Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, Republican Party, and Socialist Party USA.
Here are some basics you need to know before we delve deeper. Please add these notes to your foldable:
The U.S. has a two-party system. There are mainly two political parties competing for control and running for elections in the U.S.
The Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major parties since the 1860’s.
Third parties typically nominate a presidential candidate but so far, none have won.
As of January 2014, all members of Congress are members of the Democratic or Republican parties, except for the following people:
Senator Angus King, Independent from Maine
Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont

6. Station 1 and 2: Political Parties Graphic Organizer
At this station, your folder will contain an articles about the major political parties in the U.S. and their view on government.
As you read, mark the text. V = Key Vocabulary, G= Ideas about Government
Read the article with your teammates. (Rally Robin: Read and Say Something)
After reading, cite specific examples from the text that explain the political party’s views about government by listing the paragraph number and summarizing the evidence. Once you have completed the reading and listed your evidence, using the guided question, write a statement that summarizes your assigned party’s views about government.
You must have at least 2 pieces of evidence for each political party. Share your summaries with your teammates (Round Robin)
Test your Knowledge by completing PATTERN PUZZLE Activity

7. Station 3: One Big Party?
You will be reading an article about the functions of political parties.
As you read, mark up your text. V=Vocabulary, F= Functions.
Read the article, “One Big Party?” with your teammates.
As you read, list the five functions of political parties in the graphic organizer. For each function, write one or two sentences that summarizes the function.
To complete the example column, go to one political party’s website and find examples of each function. Be prepared to share your examples and list your source(s).
Republicans ( or Democrats ( See BPA Civics website for helpful links.
After finding examples, explain how each function impacts our society, government or the political system.
After completing your graphic organizer, complete the practice activity matching the function to the real life example.

8. Station 4:Political Parties Foldable
Read the article “The Origins and Functions of Political Parties”.
Instructions: Label all six sections, see example if needed. (What are Political Parties?, How Parties Began, Political Parties in the United States, Democrats and Republicans, U.S. Third Parties, How U.S. Parties Work)
1. Reread each section and take notes focusing on the following:
• What is the main idea of the section?
• What are the important vocabulary words I need to know in this section?
• What are some important details that add to my understanding of this section?
2. Your notes may be bulleted lists or in complete sentences. Make sure you are completing a summary of each section with your notes.

9. Station 5: Donkey & the Elephant Article
Read the “Donkey & the Elephant article, “ with your teammates.
Number the paragraphs and mark up the text M for main idea.
Using your text marking, take notes on the Two-Column Chart Graphic Organizer.
RallyRobin with the details you identify.
Use the remaining time in this Station to work on any incomplete assignments from previous stations throughout the week.