Political Interest Groups - Civics EOC or Government Courses

PowerPoint available at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
This lesson also teaches students the impact of interest groups and the individual’s role in impacting governmental policy. Students will learn about the important responsibilities that individuals play in our democratic republic to run for elected office, petition or write to governmental office holders, attend political meetings, volunteer for campaigns, make political donations and obviously vote. Students will be introduced to the creation of public policy, and the role that interest groups play in developing that policy. They will learn about different types of interest groups such as business, labor unions, and public interest groups. Examples are provided such as the NEA (National Education Association,) NAACP, Greenpeace, the NRA, and NOW. Strategies such as: lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and publicizing of these interest groups are introduced. Students are provided examples, such the NAACP initiated Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit. They will learn about the purpose, functions, and potential downside of the lobbying industry.

Mr. Raymond’s Civics E.O.C. Academy was designed for students taking the Florida Civics End-of-Course (EOC) Exam. However, as many states are implementing Civics Exams, these videos will work for all students of Civics, US Government, and US History. Currently students have to pass a civics state exam in order to graduate in Idaho, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, North Dakota, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. These videos look at all of the civics benchmarks that will be tested on most state civics exams.

As a civics teacher I have often looked for civics YouTube video clips to show my students. I hope these videos will serve as a supplement to lessons for civics teachers, US history teachers, US government teachers and their students. While they might be a little basic for AP Government students, they could serve as a refresher of basic concepts and content. I have also thought that these videos could help those who are going to take the naturalization test to become US Citizens. I have also been reached by parents whose children are taking Florida Virtual School’s (F.L.V.S.) Civics class.

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