Lesson Plan
Civic Start Pack: Vote and Voice
Students will complete a 3-step civic start plan by identifying eligibility/next election date, drafting a 1–2 sentence message to a representative, and listing one reliable nonpartisan information source.
This lesson is important because it empowers students to become active and informed participants in their democracy, ensuring their voices are heard and they can make well-researched decisions.
Audience
12th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive learning and practical application.
Materials
Vote and Voice Slides, Civic Start Checklist, Find Your Rep Practice, Nonpartisan Source Share-Out, and Exit Ticket: My Civic Next Step
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Vote and Voice Slides and practice presenting the content.
- Print copies of the Civic Start Checklist (one per student).
- Prepare instructions for the Find Your Rep Practice activity.
- Ensure access to devices for students to research their representatives and nonpartisan sources.
- Review the Nonpartisan Source Share-Out discussion prompts.
- Print copies of the Exit Ticket: My Civic Next Step (one per student).
Step 1
Introduction: Why Your Voice Matters (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use the Vote and Voice Slides to introduce the importance of civic participation.
- Briefly explain the lesson objective and the three steps of the civic start plan.
Step 2
Voter Readiness & Reliable Sources (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present information on voter eligibility, registration timelines, and the importance of nonpartisan information using the Vote and Voice Slides.
- Distribute the Civic Start Checklist and guide students to fill out the first section: 'Voter Readiness' and begin researching reliable nonpartisan sources.
Step 3
Find Your Rep & Draft Your Message (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Lead students through the Find Your Rep Practice activity to locate their elected officials.
- Guide students to draft a 1-2 sentence message to a representative on an issue they care about, using the prompts in the Civic Start Checklist.
- Encourage partners to rehearse delivering their message.
Step 4
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Facilitate the Nonpartisan Source Share-Out discussion, allowing students to share the reliable sources they found.
- Distribute the Exit Ticket: My Civic Next Step and have students complete it, reflecting on their next civic step.
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Slide Deck
Civic Start Pack: Vote and Voice
Your Guide to Active Citizenship
Why does your voice matter?
Welcome students and introduce the concept of civic participation. Explain that this lesson is about taking practical steps to make their voices heard.
Your Civic Start Plan
Objective: Complete a 3-step civic start plan to become an active citizen.
- Voter Readiness: Know your eligibility & election dates.
- Contact Your Rep: Draft a message to your elected official.
- Reliable Info: Find trusted, nonpartisan sources.
Explain the objective: by the end of this lesson, students will have started their civic action plan. Briefly outline the three steps.
Step 1: Voter Readiness
Are you eligible?
- Age (18 by election day)
- Citizenship
- Residency
When's the next election?
- Primary vs. General Elections
- Local, State, and Federal
Key Deadlines:
- Registration
- Absentee Voting
Discuss voter eligibility requirements (age, citizenship, residency). Emphasize that registration deadlines are crucial. Mention how to find election dates.
Step 2: Contact Your Rep
Your Elected Officials Work FOR YOU!
-
Who represents you?
- Local (Mayor, City Council)
- State (Governor, State Legislators)
- Federal (President, Senators, House of Representatives)
-
Why contact them?
- Share your concerns
- Advocate for issues
- Hold them accountable
Explain why contacting representatives is important and that it's their job to listen. Introduce the concept of finding their specific representatives based on their address.
Crafting Your Message
Tips for Impactful Communication:
- Be Clear: State your purpose early.
- Be Concise: 1-2 sentences is often enough.
- Be Specific: Mention the issue and what you want done.
- Be Respectful: Even if you disagree, maintain a civil tone.
- Proofread!
Guide students on how to draft a concise and impactful message. Provide tips on being specific, respectful, and clear about their ask.
Step 3: Reliable, Nonpartisan Info
What is a nonpartisan source?
- Presents facts without bias.
- Doesn't endorse political parties or candidates.
- Focuses on informing, not persuading.
Why are they important?
- Make informed decisions.
- Understand different perspectives.
- Avoid misinformation.
Explain the difference between partisan and nonpartisan sources. Emphasize the importance of using nonpartisan sources for unbiased information.
Your Next Civic Step
You have the power to make a difference!
- What's one thing you will do next to be civically active?
- How will you use what you learned today?
Prompt students to think about what they learned and what their personal next step in civic engagement will be. This leads into the exit ticket.
Worksheet
Civic Start Checklist: Vote and Voice
Your guide to becoming an active and informed citizen!
Step 1: Voter Readiness
- Am I eligible to vote? (Circle one) Yes / No
- If not, when will I be eligible? (e.g., "In 6 months," "When I turn 18 on...")
- What is the date of the next major election in my area? (Local, State, or Federal)
- What is the voter registration deadline for that election?
Step 2: Contact Your Representative
- Who is one of my elected representatives? (e.g., Mayor, City Council Member, State Legislator, U.S. Senator/Representative)
- Name of Representative:
- Their Title/Role:
- Name of Representative:
- What is one issue I care about that this representative might influence?
- Draft a 1-2 sentence message to your representative about this issue. (Remember to be clear, concise, and respectful.)
- Self-Correction/Improvement: What is one way I could make my message even more impactful or clear?
Step 3: Reliable Nonpartisan Information Source
- List one reliable, nonpartisan source for information on current events or politics. (Think about where you get factual news without strong political bias.)
- Source Name:
- Why do you consider this source reliable and nonpartisan?
- Source Name:
Activity
Find Your Rep Practice
It's time to find out who represents YOU!
Instructions:
- Access a Device: Use your computer or phone to access the internet.
- Find Your Representatives: Go to a website like Common Cause or USA.gov.
- Enter Your Address: Input your home address to find a list of your elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Complete Your Checklist: Use the information you find to fill out the "Step 2: Contact Your Representative" section of your Civic Start Checklist.
- Identify at least one elected official (e.g., your U.S. Representative, State Senator, Mayor, etc.).
- Note their name and their specific role.
- Bonus Challenge: Try to find the official website for one of your representatives. What contact information can you find (email, phone, mailing address)?
Discussion
Nonpartisan Source Share-Out
Let's discuss the importance of reliable information and share what you found!
Discussion Prompts:
-
Share Your Source: What nonpartisan information source did you identify in your Civic Start Checklist? Briefly explain why you believe it is reliable and nonpartisan.
-
Why is it important to use nonpartisan sources when learning about political issues or candidates? What are the risks of relying solely on partisan sources?
-
How can you tell if a source is nonpartisan? What are some clues to look for?
-
How can we encourage others to seek out nonpartisan information?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My Civic Next Step
Take a moment to reflect on what you've learned and what you'll do next.
Your Reflection:
-
What is one specific action you will take in the next month to be more civically engaged? (e.g., register to vote, look up my representative, research a local issue, tell a friend about a nonpartisan source, etc.)
-
How did completing the Civic Start Checklist help you feel more prepared to participate in our democracy?
-
What is one new question you have about civic participation after today's lesson?
Discussion
Nonpartisan Source Share-Out
Let's discuss the importance of reliable information and share what you found!
Discussion Prompts:
-
Share Your Source: What nonpartisan information source did you identify in your Civic Start Checklist? Briefly explain why you believe it is reliable and nonpartisan.
-
Why is it important to use nonpartisan sources when learning about political issues or candidates? What are the risks of relying solely on partisan sources?
-
How can you tell if a source is nonpartisan? What are some
Discussion
Nonpartisan Source Share-Out
Let's discuss the importance of reliable information and share what you found!
Discussion Prompts:
- Share Your Source: What nonpartisan information source did you identify in your Civic Start Checklist? Briefly explain why you believe it is reliable and nonpartisan.
- Why is it important to use nonpartisan sources when learning about political issues or candidates? What are the risks of relying solely on partisan sources?
- How can you tell if a source is nonpartisan? What are some