UNDERSTANDING BY DESIGN®
Enduring Understanding
- Interest groups and public opinion can have a large role in shaping public policy.
Essential Questions
- How do special interests seek to influence U.S. public policy?
- In what ways can public opinion affect government policy?
Students will know:
- that being responsive to public opinion is important in a democracy.
- that political socialization is the process through which individuals learn their political beliefs.
- that political culture sets the boundaries within which citizens develop and express their opinions.
- that political efficacy refers to a person’s belief that they can have an impact on government.
- elected officials use a variety of nonscientific and scientific methods to identify public opinion.
- that, in order for a poll to be accurate, it must contain a representative sample, be clearly worded, and interpreted accurately.
- polls can be used to craft bills, to aid in campaigning, and as a source of news.
- that an interest group is made up of people who share common goals and organize to influence government.
- people join interest groups out of economic self-interest, because of deeply felt beliefs, or for social reasons.
- there are a wide variety of interest groups in the United States.
- how lobbyists impact public policy.
- the methods interests groups use to gain public support.
- that limitations on donating to individual candidates led to the formation of PACs.
- PACs and SuperPACs spend money to gain access to lawmakers and influence election outcomes.
- the similarities and differences between PACs and SuperPACs.
Students will be able to:
- describe how political socialization shapes people’s views.
- compare public opinion polls.
- identify ways individuals can impact government policy.
- evaluate arguments on controversial issues.
- conduct a public opinion poll.
- interpret a public opinion poll.
- categorize types of interest groups.
- discuss ways interest groups can achieve their goals.
- compare civil societies around the world.
- interview members of an interest group.
- identify ways students can impact politics in their community.
- evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of influencing members of Congress.
- compare and contrast affiliated and independent PACs.
- analyze how campaign finance laws impact free speech.
Predictable Misunderstandings
Students may think:
- that poll results are always an accurate gauge of public opinion. Encourage students to learn the differences between scientific and unscientific methods of polling so that they can determine whether a poll’s results are providing accurate, unbiased information.
- that lobbyists are not wanted or respected by lawmakers. When students hear about lobbyists in the news, they may come to associate them with practices such as giving money or gifts to politicians in return for their favor. In fact, lobbyists can do a great deal to help lawmakers by providing useful information about the wants and needs of their constituents.
Assessment Evidence
Performance Tasks:
- Hands-On Chapter Project
Other Evidence:
- Guided Reading Activities
- Vocabulary Activity
- Lesson Quizzes
- Chapter Tests, Forms A and B
SUGGESTED PACING
½ day — Introducing the Chapter
½ day — Lesson 1
1 day — Lesson 2
1 day — Lesson 3
½ day — Lesson 4
½ day — Chapter Wrap-Up and Assessment
4 Days — Total
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
The activities presented are suitable for all levels. Modifications for student ability levels are available for many of the activities. The types of modifications available are indicated by the icons below.
Approaching Level
Beyond Level
English Language Learner
All students benefit from activities that utilize different learning styles. Activities are designated with the labels below to help you differentiate teaching by the types of learners.
Intrapersonal
Logical/Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Verbal/Linguistic
Interpersonal
Auditory/Musical
Kinesthetic
Naturalist