Gerrymandering and Redistricting
Examining how redistricting affects the fairness and outcomes of elections.
Key Questions
- Justify who should decide the boundaries of political districts.
- Analyze the rights in tension when political parties draw their own maps.
- Explain how redistricting impacts the accountability of elected officials.
Common Core State Standards
About This Topic
Household Responsibilities focuses on the daily chores and division of labor that keep a home running. For 9th graders, this topic is highly relatable as they often have their own chores and are beginning to negotiate their roles within the family. By using frequency adverbs (e.g., always, sometimes, never), students learn to describe their routines with precision. This topic aligns with ACTFL standards for interpersonal communication and making connections to broader societal values.
Students also explore how expectations for chores differ for teenagers around the world. In some cultures, household labor is divided strictly by gender or age, while in others, it is more fluid. This provides a platform for discussing fairness and negotiation. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of their chores and compare them with their peers, leading to a deeper understanding of both language and culture.
Active Learning Ideas
Think-Pair-Share: The Chore Negotiator
In pairs, students are given a list of household tasks and a 'family budget' of time. They must negotiate who does which chore and how often, using frequency adverbs and persuasive language in the target language.
Simulation Game: The Busy Household
Groups act out a typical morning or evening in a busy home. They must use the target language to ask for help, complain about chores, and coordinate their activities, focusing on natural conversational flow.
Inquiry Circle: Chores Around the World
Students research the typical chores for teenagers in a specific target-language country. They create a 'chore chart' for a peer in that country and compare it to their own, highlighting cultural differences in expectations.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionChores are the same for teenagers everywhere.
What to Teach Instead
Responsibilities vary based on urban vs. rural settings and cultural norms. Using the 'Chores Around the World' activity helps students see that some peers might be responsible for livestock or younger siblings, while others focus on academic tasks.
Common MisconceptionFrequency adverbs are just for lists.
What to Teach Instead
Adverbs like 'usually' or 'rarely' are key to expressing personality and habits. Through role play, students can see how these words change the tone of a conversation from a demand to a negotiation.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
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