1. Theme: Cruisin USA

2. Title: Meeting up with the Governor and Friends-Students will have a chance to look at documents of the past and connect them with today. Students will look at a letter Hubert H. Humphrey sent to Winona along with discovering who he was. Students will have a chance to get an introduction to some of the Senators and Representatives of the United States.

Grade-6

3. Materials: Computer Lab, Social Studies book, almanacs, and teacher’s copy of “The Book of the States” 2006 edition—Book contains hard-to-find information from each state and territory in easy-to-read summaries, tables, and charts. Show the transparency of Governor Hubert H. Humphrey’s letter to Winona about the upgrade of a Post Office and another transparency of bidding for the job. Picture of the inside of the old Post Office.

4. Goals: Students will know who what the states tendencies are and which way it tends to vote. Also student will have an understanding of their government.

5. Objectives: The student will report on the Governor of their state along with two house representatives. The student will also find government buildings, monuments, and symbols that will be displayed in a PowerPoint slide show.

6. Procedures:
a. Introductory Experiences:
10 minutes
-Begin lesson by showing the document Governor Hubert H. Humphrey sent to Winona discussing what he wrote to the town. Ask students what they know about the Governor. Show them that writing to your representative is a great way to gain support and achieve goals you have set. Show the bidding sheet that states that Laird Norton Co. of Winona will be doing the interior work on the Post Office. This will tie into the preceding lesson of In the Biz and shows a connection between the Post Office and people within the community we have already discussed. Finally show the interior of the old Post Office.
-Write on the board a few terms including: Senator-Senate-House of Representatives-Representative
-Students will then come to the board and write in what they know about each term already-(MASS BRAINSTORM)
-Discuss as a class who is the Governor of Minnesota
-Discuss as a class are the Representatives of the State
-explain why different states have more or less
-electoral college
-Discuss why states have all have same number of Senators

b. Developmental Experiences:
1. 5 minutes-
2. Go over the terms and get ready to break into groups that we have been using during the unit.
3. 15 minutes- Groups will continue to work with the same regions as they have all unit. Since each region has roughly 7 states and you are in groups of 5 each student will have their own state.
a. Find the state’s Governor—A few biography points such as how long they have been in the government. Also look at which party they belong to and describe what that parties beliefs/forum are
b. 2 of the state’s House of Representatives—A few biography points such as how long they have been in the government. Also look at which party they belong to and describe what that parties beliefs/forums are
c. If possible find out which way they have voted on a few bills\
d. WEBSITE LINKS TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES ON HANDOUT
4. 15 minutes- Find key points of interest in the state
a. Find the Capital building of the state
b. Pictures of any large parks in the state—State Parks or National Parks
c. Find 3- States attractions
d. Find 3-Statues
e. All information will be put into a PowerPoint slide show where students will present information about their state and government officials included.

c. Culminating Experiences:

1. If time permits students will begin presenting their slideshow to the class
2. Close the class asking students questions specific to their state to see how they are different.

Assessments:
Formative: Students will present their PowerPoint to the class and show what qualities their state contains.



GRADING RUBRIC FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Knows the Senator and biography (5pts)
Knows party affiliation (5pts)

Knows State Representatives and biographies (10 pts)
Knows party affiliation (10 pts)

Capital Builiding (5pts)

3 State Attractions(5pts)

3 Statues (5pts)

TERMS-PASS OUT DURING DISCUSSION

Senate:

House of Representatives:

State Representatives:

Senators:

Governors:

(Minnesota) House of Representatives (Find out about your individual state-DON’T ALL LOOK AT MINNESOTA):

Independent Party:
Democrat:

Republican:

Bills:


http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/stover.htm#over

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/