The Political
Informer
Introduction
     It is the year 2004 and you are a reporter in the community in which you live. It is your job to inform the citizens of your community about the three levels of government, National, State and Local. The local citizens are counting on you to report to them about the each level.  You will be their only source of information, and so what you present must be informative and unbiased. Reporters, it is your job to report on the three levels of government and to provide a clear and accurate picture of each. Good Luck and Have Fun.
The Task
There are four parts to this project. Each must be completed in its entirety.  The project should either be completed in ink or typed, typed preferably. Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how?  Your book and other internet resources can be used to find some of the information. However, it is important that you cite information in your text and at the end of each section. Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can. The following format is required:
   1. Cover page
   2. Table of contents
   3. Separation of sectionss
   4. Bibliography for each section
The Process
Section 1:
National Government
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to the National Government.

1. Research and list the current member of the executive branch. President, Vice President, and the Cabinet Members.

2. Write a political biography of the current President of the U.S.  Include the following:

    a. Educational background,

    b.  Non-political career,

    c. Party affiliation,

    d. Issues he supports,

    e. Political experience

    f. General personal qualifications.

3. Name the representatives serving in your district in US House of Representatives and name the US Senators serving the State of North Carolina. Please include the following for each:

    a. Home base

    b. Political affiliation

    c. Political experience.

4. List the individuals seeking the Republican and Democratic nomination for Senate and House of Representatives in the 2004 election and those who were elected.

5. Find a bill your US Senator or Representative has sponsored or co-sponsored.

    a. What is the name of the bill?

    b.What number was it assigned?

    c.What does it do?

    d. What stage is it in?

6. Chose one of the following.

    a. Draw a map of NC and show by highlighting or shading the US Congressional District in Which Wake County belongs.
    b. Draw 4 political cartoons that would illustrate 4 different duties of the president.    
    c. Illustrate 4 different services of the national government. (Use drawings, photographs or pamphlets).    
    d. Draw the Seal of the President and explain the symbols in the seal.
Links
1. �On The Issues� This website tracks the positions of current officeholders and candidates on a range of political issues. http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm

2. �The US Government's Official Web Portal� Firstgov.gov is  your first click to the U.S. Government  it is an easy-to-search, free-access website designed to find information from U.S, local, state and federal government agencies. http://www.firstgov.gov/

3. �The White House President George W. Bush� This is the official website of the President of the US. http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/
Section 2:
State Government
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to the State Government:

1. Research and list the current members of the Executive branch.

1. Governor

2. Lt. Governor

3. State Council.

2. Write a political biography of the current Governor to NC. Include t he following:

    a. Educational background

    b. Non-political career, Party affiliation

    c.  Issues he supports

    d. Political experience

    e. General personal qualifications

3. Name the representatives serving the Athens Drive High School area in both the NC senate and the NC House of Representatives.  Give their political affiliation and their political experience.

4. Include 2 newspaper clippings or summaries describing the recent activities of the Governor, Lt. Governor, or the General Assembly

5. Find a bill your State Representative or Senator has sponsored or co-sponsored.
   
    a. What is the name of the bill?

    b. What is the number of the bill?

    c. What does it say?

    d. Where is it now?

6. Choose 1 of the following:

    a. Draw 2 maps of NC and show by highlighting or shading, the NC Senate district, and the NC congressional district in which Athens Drive High School is located.

    b. Draw 4 political cartoons that would illustrate 4 different duties of the governor.

    c. Illustrate 4 different services of the state government (use drawings, photograph, or pamphlets).

    d. Draw the NC State Seal and explain the symbols in the seal.
Links
1. �North Carolina General Assembly� The site lists office holders in the North Carolina General Assembly and how they have voted in the past. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/homePage.pl

2. �Office of the Governor� This site describes the governor and gives overview of his job as governor. http://www.governor.state.nc.us/Default.asp

3. �The White House President George W. Bush� This is the official website of the President of the US. http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/
Section 3:
Local Government
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to the Local Government:

1. Describe the form of government used in Raleigh and Wake County, city government or county government.

2. Name the following. Describe their duties and their political affiliations.

    a. Mayor

    b. City Manager

    c. County Commissioners

3. Include 2 newspaper clippings or summaries describing the recent activities of your local leaders.

4. Chose 1 of the following:

    a. Draw a map of Wake County and highlight the ward in which Athens Drive H.S. is located.

    b. Draw 4 political cartoons illustrating the duties of the mayor.

    c. Illustrate the services provided by either the city or county government.

    d. Interview a local official or someone employed by the local government. (Develop your questions and have them approved before the interview).
Links
1. �Raleigh City Government� This site lists the different office holders on the local level of government in Raleigh. http://www.raleigh-nc.org/main/CGOV.HTM

2. �Wake County Government� This site list the different office holders in Wake County. http://www.wakegov.com/default.htm

3. �The White House President George W. Bush� This is the official website of the President of the US. http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/
Section 4:
A Letter to Your Congressman
1. It is now time for all of your research and hard work to pay off.  You have done the research and have presented a clear picture of the three levels of government to your local citizens.  Being that you have done such a great job reporting to the citizens of your community, they have asked you to compose a letter to one of your Congressman.

2. A letter is to be composed to either a State or National Congressman of your district.  You should pick a bill at the federal or state level to discuss in your letter. Write your Senator or Representative encouraging them to vote for or against it. Us the format provided to develop your letter.  Your letter however, must be approved by the citizens within your community (Mrs. Williams and Mr. Alphin) before it can be mailed.
Evaluation
1. Grading will be based on the following:
    
     a. Organization, did you follow the format?

     b. Neatness and attractiveness

      c. Content
Conclusion
Congratulations you have finished your quest.  You have explored the three levels of government, National, State and Local and have gained a better understanding of each. Hopefully, you have learned that as a citizen it is important to stay informed about your government so that you can become a better and more productive citizen in the community that you live in.
WebQuest Designed
By
Kenneth C Alphin

Content Designed
By
Penn Pace
&
Jenny Williams
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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