Introduction

The purpose of this WebQuest is for American Government students (grade 10) to demonstrate "real" life understanding of the preamble of the United States Constitution. Students will examine the preamble to the constitution and ask the question, is the U.S. Government doing what it its charter states? If not, what can I do as a citizen to make sure the government abides by its charter. Students will look for an examples of the government fulfilling its' constitutional obligations. Students will also find an issue, which in their opinion, does not live up to the principles stated in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. The students will then demonstrate civic participation by completing research on their issue and advocating for change through a letter to their government representatives or advocacy organization. Students will then produce a commentary, which will be shared as part of an interactive forum on civic responsibility.

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The Task

Here is your big chance, a chance to make a change. You are going to choose an issue that really means something to you and create a plan to effect change. This isn't some theoretical activity where you pretend to write letters to members of congress, you will actually do it. You will also get the chance to educate other students about your issue. Here is how it works.

First, you have to understand the principles of Government, and then understand the principles of the U.S. Government as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. Then you begin to research current issues and pick an issue that you would like to change. After that you need to figure out who can help you change your issue and contact them by email asking for help. You will also create a commentary that educates people on your issue and facilitate a seminar "chat" on your issue.

This may seem overwhelming at first, but don't worry, we'll take you through it step-by-step. Refer to the process section to get started.
 
 

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Resources

1. Sovereignty - Jefferson

http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff0300.htm

2. Good Government - Jefferson

http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff0650.htm
 

3. Responsibilities of Citizens - Information regarding citizenship

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/GOV/ch7_p2.htm

4. Bio on John Locke

http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/locke.html

5. Short Bio on Thomas Hobbes

http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/hobbes.html
 

6. John Lennon - Imagine Lyrics

http://www-personal.umd.umich.edu/~infinit/Beatles/imagine.html

http://www.bagism.com/lyrics/imagine-soundtrack-lyrics.html#Imagine
 

7. The Constitution - students should read the preamble and identify the six main goals of the constiution.

http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/constitution/constitution.html

8. The Constitution with Annotations

http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/constitution/pream.html

9. Check out the Schoolhouse Rock presentation of "The Preamble".

http://genxtvland.simplenet.com/SchoolHouseRock/song.hts?hi+preamble

10.Time Magazine

http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/

11. The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

12. USA Today Archives

http://archives.usatoday.com/plweb-cgi/fastweb?searchform+view1

13. Research Federal Government Web Pages

http://www.fedworld.gov/

14. Student Research information

http://www.congresslink.org/active.html

15. Congressional Sources on the Web

http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/congress.html

16. National Political Index

http://www.politicalindex.com/

17. Legislative Information on the Internet

http://thomas.loc.gov/

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Process

The process section will take you through all the steps of the project. There are Internet links in the Research section that will help you and there is a Response page for answering various questions (yes, you have to answer all the questions).

 Create an Action Plan

1. First, your going to have to understand the concepts of government. Check out links 1-6 and complete Section I on the Response page.
2. OK, you will also have to identify and understand the six major concepts of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Go to the Research links 7-9 and complete Section II on the Response page.
3. Now it is time to find the issues. Find two issues, one that demonstrates that the principles of the U.S. Government are being upheld and one that demonstrates that the principles are not being upheld. You may use regular newspapers and magazines or you can use the links in the Research section (10-12). Use Section III on the Response sheet to guide you.
4. It's time for action! Using the latter issue (a principle not upheld) complete Section IV on the Response page which will help you create an action plan.
5. Once your action plan is completed, it's time to figure out who you are going to contact to put your action plan in motion. You'll need to research which government leader or agency can effect change and draft an email explaining your cause and you action plan. Section V on the Response page has information on how to get started and don't forget to use the Research links (13-18 ) for help.
6. You're in the home stretch. It's time to put all those writing skills to good use. Create a final draft of your action plan letter and send it off (through Mr. Miller) to your contact person or agency. Check Section VI to ensure that you have followed all of the steps for the writing process.

1. Using their action plan, students will create a verbal commentary.
2. The commentary will be recorded and broadcast on the School's webcast site.

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Evaluation

There are two outcomes of this activity, the Action plan letter and the commentary. Both of these will be graded based on the following rubrics.

Action plan letter rubric

Commentary Rubric

The average of these two outcomes will be worth 25% of your grade for this marking period.
 
 

Work completed in the Response Sections will be included as class work and class participation points towards your grade for this marking period.
 
 

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Conclusion

This activity is just a starting point for your activism throughout your life. In order for government to work properly, it is important that citizens get involved. It is hoped that this is the first of many action plans that you develop and that you continue to participate in government through your efforts as a good citizen.