Government · Week 14 · Participation, Media, and Comparative Government
Direct Democracy in California
Reading the official arguments for and against a past California ballot measure in a structured academic controversy, then practicing decisions that weigh evidence over first reactions.
- Students will
- Students describe the initiative, referendum, and recall and weigh arguments for and against letting voters make decisions directly.
- SEL skill
- Pause a first reaction and weigh evidence before deciding
- What it looks like
- Students practice pausing a first reaction so they can use emotions to think through evidence.
- Content focus
- Direct democracy in California
- Format
- Structured discussion
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making means choosing caring, constructive actions by thinking about ethics, safety, and consequences. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 12.6.5: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of American Democracy (standard 12.6, item 5)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: CST1 Compare the present with the past, evaluating the consequences of past events and decisions and the activities learned. (Chronological and Spatial Thinking)
- C3 Framework (national): D2.Civ.13.9-12 Evaluate public policies in terms of their intended and unintended outcomes and consequences.
- Literacy in history: RH.11-12.5 Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation.
Fits these textbook chapters
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 8: Parties, Interest Groups, and Public Policy
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 10: Political Campaigns and Elections
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 8: State and Local Legislative Branches
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 10: Choosing the President
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 18: Voting and Elections
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 7: The Electoral Process
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Government
- My Rights, Your Rights Responsible decision-makingExploring why enjoying one's own rights requires respecting the rights of others, then deciding how to act fairly when two people's freedoms collide.
- When Levels of Government Disagree Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing how conflicts between state and federal authority are resolved through courts and negotiation and practicing fair steps for resolving a conflict between classmates.
- Many Ways to Be Heard Responsible decision-makingExploring voting, petitioning, lobbying, and peaceful assembly as lawful paths to influence and choosing a respectful way to raise one's own voice.
Previous: Many Ways to Be Heard · Next: Parties, Polls, and Persuasion
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.