Having Our Say

1. Review: "We've learned who our representatives are and what they do. But how do THEY know what WE want?"
2. Ask: "If you wanted to tell the principal something, how would you do it?"
3. Transition: "Representatives WANT to hear from you — it's their job to listen"
4. Introduce the word "constituent" — a person who lives in a representative's district

1. Navigate to a representative's profile on CIV.IQ
2. Find the contact section: office address, phone, website
3. Discuss each method: "When would you use a letter? A phone call? An email?"
4. Model writing a short letter together on the board
5. Structure: Greeting → Introduce yourself → State your concern → Make a request → Closing

1. Brainstorm issues as a class (list on board)
2. Students choose one issue they care about
3. Students write their own message on Worksheet E5
4. Circulate to help with spelling and format

1. Volunteers share their messages
2. Discussion: "Should we actually send these? What might happen?"
3. Key takeaway: Citizens have the RIGHT and POWER to contact their representatives

Navigate to your representative's profile on CIV.IQ. Find their office address, phone number, website, and social media.

As a class, brainstorm issues students care about: school, environment, parks, safety, animals, fairness.

Model drafting a short, respectful message: Greeting, introduce yourself, state concern, make request, closing.

Students write their own short message about something they care about on Worksheet E5.