Introduction:

 Lesson Topic: Understanding Gerrymandering – “The Redistricting Game”

 Length of Lesson: 95 minutes

 VA Standard of Learning GOVT.6: The student will demonstrate knowledge of local,

state, and national elections by

e) examining the impact of reapportionment and redistricting on elections;

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to:

 Understand the concept of gerrymandering – what it means, where it happens and why it

is important;

 Physically redraw district lines in an effort to complete the objectives listed in different

missions of the redistricting game;

 Consider the potential affect that gerrymandering could have on the 2010 Presidential

election;

Materials and Advanced Preparation

 Computer/LCD Projector

 School Computer Lab

 Notebook

 www.redistrictinggame.com

 Grading rubric for completion of the re-districting game

Teaching and Learning Sequence

  Anticipatory Set

o Before we go to the computer lab in the library, we will go back over the concept

of gerrymandering. Using the LCD projector, I will again show the class a visual

of some gerrymandered districts and speak to how this could affect the

Presidential election in 2012.

 Lesson Development

o We will head to the computer lab as a class and begin working on the

gerrymandering game. Use the first few minutes to help the students find the

website and make sure they are following the directions written on the rubric.

o Monitor student’s progress throughout the class, answering questions, providing

guidance and assistance when needed.

 Closure

o During the last few minutes (and throughout class) I will take some screen shots

of the student’s progress and print them out to show student work. We will also

head back to the classroom with 5 minutes left in class.

Homework

 None

Assessment

 Formative:

o Monitor each student’s individual process in completing the different missions of

the game. Answer any questions that the students have.

  Summative:

o At the end of the lesson, the students should have completed as many of the five

missions as possible. Grade their progress through the game by using the grading

rubric.

References

1. The rubric was written by Russ Yonce.

2. The redistricting game is located at www.redistrictinggame.com.