Learning objective: At the conclusion of this lesson the student will demonstrate the ability to:
explain the importance of voluntary individual participation in democratic processes; identify state government leaders and how to contact them (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 4)
identify the impact of individual and group decisions in a democratic society; explain how citizens can participate in and influence the political process (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 6)
recognize the importance of the expression of different points of view in a democratic society, including expressing and defending the student's own point of view on an issue of contemporary interest in Texas (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 7)
Materials needed:
News clippings or internet access to look up reports about the Texas governor's race
Overhead or handout displaying sample formatted letter (with address, date, salutation, body of letter, and closing/signature)
Manila envelope for sending letters
Teaching approach:
Lead students in a unit about elections and representative government in Texas. Point out that elected officials are put in office through a vote of the people and that they work for the people they represent.
Note that the governor is someone who represents everyone in Texas, and that there is an upcoming election to decide who will be the next governor. Ask students to share what they have heard from news reports or elsewhere about the upcoming race for governor.
Tell students that candidates and leaders themselves, including the governor, like to hear from the people they work for—us—especially when they are making a decision about something.
Explain the Letters to Leaders contest and that students are asked to write their own letter to the next governor about what he or she should do to make Texas even better.
Review your sample letter. Point out that letters that are clear and polite help leaders know what's important to community members.
Have students write their own letters. Letters should address the topic, "What the next Texas Governor can do to make Texas even better.” The suggested salutation is "Dear Candidates for Governor” or something similar (please do not single out specific candidates). Students may choose to introduce themselves (name, grade), state their position on an issue they have researched, and/or write about a law they think would be good for kids. Students should also pose a question in their letters for the candidates to answer.
If desired, review letters and have students rewrite them as needed.
Gather the letters from students and put them in the manila envelope. Point out that you have included the school's return address, not only for the contest results, but also so candidates for governor can write back to the students. [Send envelope of letters postmarked by February 1to: Letters to Leaders, c/o Texans Care for Children, 811 Trinity, Suite A, Austin, Texas 78701]
