US Government | Forming Public Policy & Opinion | Political Parties | Activities

In this lesson your students will learn about the role of public opinion in U.S. Government and how a person's public opinion (about public policy) gets formed. Students will also be able to compare the major political parties (Republicans/Democrats) party platform on major issues to understand the difference between platforms. Appropriate for grades 8-12.

Your students will:

1) Watch a short warm-up video on Public Policy Opinions ~The Left V. The Right~ and will complete a corresponding worksheet. (link included)

2) Complete a notes organizer as the teacher goes through a short FULL COLOR power-point on the definition of Public Opinion, why it matters and how a person's public opinions get formed.

3) Take a short survey to gauge their placement on a public policy spectrum. (Which political party platform do they more closely align with?)

4) Read an article on the top 20 Public Policy Issues and how Conservatives and Liberals feel about each issue and complete a corresponding chart.

5) Complete an EXIT CARD "Dialogue Poem" comparing Conservatives V. Liberals.

***Includes a GOOGLE and Traditional version of this activity for your use!