Lesson Plan: A Day in the Life of a Senator

SUBJECTS

U.S. Government, Civics

GRADE LEVEL

6-8

OBJECTIVES

In this lesson, students read a primary source document written by a former Senator and create skits depicting a scene in the life of a Senator. Finally, students evaluate their own potential as future Senators. Students will learn the responsibilities of a Senator, name different activities a Senator takes part in on a regular basis, and evaluate the type of person and skills required to be a Senator.

LESSON PLAN

Class 1

In a journal, have students brainstorm: what adjectives do you think would describe a United States Senator? What kind of person do you think you would need to be in order to be a Senator? After students write, tell them to keep this list. They will come back to it later after learning what a Senator actually does. Introduce "What a United States Senator does"- written by Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen. Give background information: Dirksen served in the U.S. House from 1933-1948, the U.S. Senate from 1951-69, and as Minority Leader of the Senate from 1959 until 1969. In pairs, students read source and take notes together in "What does a Senator do all day?" organizer.

Class 2

Discuss jobs of Senator/review the lists that students came up with from previous day's reading. Put students in groups. In groups, students will create a skit that shows a scene of "A Day in the Life" of a US Senator. They should be creative, but incorporate at least 5 of a Senator's jobs/responsibilities into their performance.

Class 3

Students finish preparing skits. Students present skits to class.

Class 4

Students take out Class 1 brainstorms about adjectives describing a Senator. Working with a partner, students review and revise their lists. Now that they know what a Senator actually does, what are the best adjectives to describe such a person? What type of person do you need to be to do the job of a Senator? After giving partners sufficient brainstorming time, discuss as a class and make list of adjectives on the board. Final evaluation: on a notecard, have each student respond to the following question - Are you the type of person who could be a Senator? Explain why or why not.

RESOURCES

"What a United States Senator Does" [Senator Everett Dirksen's description of a senator's duties]

"What does a Senator do all day?" (handout)

Notecards

CREDIT

Hilary G. Conklin

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