Learning objective: At the conclusion of this lesson the student will demonstrate the ability to:
explain the importance of voluntary individual participation in democratic processes; identify state government leaders and how to contact them (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 4)
identify the impact of individual and group decisions in a democratic society; explain how citizens can participate in and influence the political process (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 6)
recognize the importance of the expression of different points of view in a democratic society, including expressing and defending the student's own point of view on an issue of contemporary interest in Texas (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 7)
Materials needed:
News clippings or internet access to look up reports about state leaders in Texas government.
Overhead or handout displaying sample formatted letter (with address, date, salutation, body of letter, and closing/signature)
Manila envelope for sending letters
Teaching approach:
Lead students in a unit about representative government in Texas. Note that the elected officials represent everyone in Texas. Ask students to share what they have heard from news reports or elsewhere about the recent races for elected office.
Tell students that candidates and leaders themselves like to hear from the people they work for—us—especially when they are making a decision about something.
Explain the Letters to Leaders contest and that students are asked to write their own letter to elected officials or candidates on a topic of their choosing.
Review your sample letter. Point out that letters that are clear and polite, and that they exist to help leaders know what's important to community members.
Have students write their own letters. Students can submit letters to elected leaders or candidates for office on a topic of their choosing. Students may choose to introduce themselves (name, grade), state their position on an issue they have researched, and/or write about a law they think would be good for kids.
If desired, review letters and have students rewrite them as needed.
Gather the letters from students and put them in the manila envelope. Point out that you have included the school's return address, not only for the contest results, but also so their representatives can write back to the students. [Send envelope of letters to: Letters to Leaders, c/o Texans Care for Children, 811 Trinity, Suite A, Austin, Texas 78701]
