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Grade: all
Subject: Social Studies
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FOR YOUNGER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Engage students in a discussion of the role of government.
o What are some things leaders in the government do for all of us?
o Help students think through the difference between things in life that don't usually involve government because they only affect one person or a small group (e.g., what your parents feed you for dinner, what toys you have to play with, when bedtime happens) vs. things that may affect many people (whether the farms that grow food are able to give us healthy fruits and vegetables; whether there are good schools to go to, safe roads to drive on, lights on streets at night, police and firefighters to protect us; etc.)
Show students a picture of the Capitol Building. Explain that the people who work there are our leaders, and they are doing jobs for government that affect all of us in Texas.
Tell students that the leaders at the Capitol like to hear from the people they work for--us. Review a sample letter, and lead the class through writing a letter as a group on the board.
Help students write their own letters to leaders, introducing themselves (name, grade), asking questions if they have any, and thanking the elected official for what he/she does for Texas kids.
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 so that the leaders can write back to the students. [With this address, Texans Care For Children, the nonprofit organization sponsoring this letter-writing campaign, will make sure the letters get to one or more correct legislators for your district.] Send envelope of letters postmarked by January 30, 2009 to: Put Kids First, c/o Texans Care For Children, 814 San Jacinto, Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78701FOR OLDER STUDENTS :
Lead students in a unit related to how laws are made in a democratic society or in Texas specifically. (You may choose to have someone from a legislative office speak to the class, or have students investigate how a recent Texas law came to be.)
Discuss the role of the legislative branch in creating laws that affect everyone. Point out that legislators are elected and work for the people they represent.
Tell students that the leaders at the Capitol like to hear from the people they work for--us--especially when they are making a decision about something. Review a sample letter from a constituent. Point out that letters that are clear and polite help leaders know what's important to community members.
Have students look up their elected representatives and state senators using the legislature's website. You may also choose to have them look up whether there are any bills pending on an issue that matters to them.
Have students write their own letters to leaders. Students may choose to introduce themselves (name, grade), state their position on a bill they've researched, or write about a law they think would be good for kids. You also may suggest that students thank the elected official for what he/she does for Texas kids and/or pose questions to the leaders.
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 so that the leaders can write back to the students. [With this address, Texans Care For Children, the nonprofit organization sponsoring this letter-writing campaign, will make sure the letters get to the correct legislator for your district.] Send envelope of letters postmarked by January 30, 2009 to: Put Kids First, c/o Texans Care For Children, 814 San Jacinto, Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78701.
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