Introduction to Political Science
Course
Political Science I
Unit I
Political Theory
Essential
Question
What theories
explain the role of
politics in society,
and how have they
changed over
time?
TEKS
§130.183(c)
(1)(A)
Prior Student
Learning
None
Estimated Time
7 to 10 Hours
Rationale
This lesson introduces students to the foundations of the American political
system through the study of classic and contemporary political theories. An
awareness of these theories is important to anyone pursuing a career in
the political field.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Explore the concepts of classic political theory in American
democracy and political culture.
2. Examine the three contemporary political theories of American
democracy.
3. Understand the challenges that the political theories pose on a
democratic society.
4. Explain the change in political theory in American democracy.
5. Explore the role that technology will play in evolving political
theories in American society.
Engage
Do an Internet search for a video clip of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Speech.” Have students watch the clip and then write an opinion article
about his speech and whether or not it could apply in Washington today.
After the students complete their opinion pieces, lead a discussion in which
the students can share their thoughts and ideas of modern day
Washington. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. What are the major concepts of classical political theory in American
democracy and political culture?
A. Politics exist because people have differing opinions on two core
issues:
1. Who should govern based on the effect they will have on the
American public
2. How big of a role government should play in our society’s
everyday life
B. Politics – the process by which we select our government’s leaders
and what policies they pursue. Politics produces authoritative
decisions about public issues (Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry,
2011)
C. The Framers of the Constitution devised a government system
based on several underlying concepts and characteristics that
sometimes conflict with one another
1. Liberty and Equality
a) These characteristics are the most important
characteristics of a democratic form of government
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
b) Personal liberty allows citizens to engage in a variety of
practices without government interference or
discrimination
(1) These liberties are outlined in the first 10
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, also known as
the Bill of Rights
c) Political debates occur regarding how much the
government should do to guarantee these rights and
liberties
d) Personal equality is the principle that all citizens are the
same in the eyes of the law. The concept of personal
equality has changed over time:
(1) 1800’s – slavery
(2) 1900’s – “separate but equal”
(3) 2000’s – rights of same sex couples
Popular Consent
a) The principle that government must draw its powers from
the consent of the governed
b) The central notion in the Declaration of Independence
c) Works only if the citizens allow the government to
function
Majority Rule
a) A core political value which means officials are only
elected and policies are made into law if a majority of
citizens (50% of total votes cast plus 1) allow them
b) Defined as the central premise of direct democracy in
which only policies that collectively garner the support of
a majority of voters will be made into law
c) Protects the rights of minorities so that the Bill of Rights is
applicable to all citizens of the US
Popular Sovereignty
a) The concept that claims the ultimate authority rests with
society (i.e. society can create, abolish, or alter
government)
b) Exhibited in the U.S. through the act of voting
Natural Law
a) The doctrine that society should be governed by certain
ethical principles that are a part of nature
Individualism
a) A principle that was first highly valued by the Puritans
who escaped religious persecution in England
b) Emphasized in the US through the protection of the rights
of individuals
c) Not emphasized in other democracies, such as Canada,
which is a more group-focused society
Religious freedom
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a) Originated from religious conflict in Europe that brought
many settlers to the “New World”
b) Is guaranteed by the Constitution
c) Is different from religious tolerance which
(1) Has not always been present in the US, such as in
the relationships between
(a) The Puritans and Catholics during the early
settlement
(b) Christianity and Islam recently
(2) Often a controversial topic in U.S. society
d) Something that most Americans need because most
Americans profess to having strong religious beliefs
(O’Conner, Sabato, Yanus, 2011)
D. Together these characteristics comprise American political culture
1. Political culture – commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core
values about how a government should operate
2. Although these values are widely shared among Americans,
there has been a sharp polarization of political culture in the
US in recent years
3. Political scientists argue three ways in which Americans are
losing their political culture:
a) The loss over time of traditional values such as religion
and family life
b) An unfavorable comparison with citizens of other
countries in terms of key values like patriotism
c) The division of society into opposed groups with
irreconcilable moral differences
4. However, political scientists have found that little evidence
supports the fact that the overall American values are
changing in society; society is just becoming more “centrist”
(Edwards, Lineberry, Wattenberg, 2011)
E. Traditional democratic theory relies on a number of key principles
that specify how governmental decisions are made in a democracy
1. Equality in voting
a) One person, one vote
b) Voting must be representative
2. Effective participation
a) Citizens must have adequate and equal opportunities to
express their preferences in government
3. Enlightened understanding
a) Citizens must be able to express their ideas
b) Free speech and free press are essential to civic
engagement
c) If one group controls the information, citizens cannot truly
understand the issues
4. Citizens control the agenda
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a) Citizens should have a collective right to control the
government’s policy agenda
b) The agenda can often be distorted by groups with
extreme wealth and power
5. Inclusion
a) The government must include and extend rights to
everyone subject to its laws
b) Citizenship must be open to all with people within a
democratic nation
F. Only if a political system satisfies all of these criteria can it be
considered a democratic political system
II. What are the three contemporary political theories of American
democracy?
A. These three theories answer the essential question of who has the
power and influence in American society
B. The Pluralist Theory: Government by Groups
1. The policymaking process is open to the participation of all
groups with shared interests
a) Contemporary examples of such interest groups include:
the National Rifle Association (NRA), National
Organization for Women (NOW), and United Auto
Workers (UAW)
2. No single group dominates
3. Pluralists tend to believe that public interests will prevail
4. Interest groups provide structure for political parties and help
ensure that individuals are following the rules when
participating in society
a) Use positive channels for government action rather than
extreme tactics like assassination
5. Organized groups and public officials can compete with one
another for control over policy
a) Grassroots activism can offset other resources like
money
b) Examples: The American Petroleum Institute which
contributes large amounts of money compared to Green
Peace which has a large membership base
6. In recent years the number of interest groups has risen
significantly, which is a positive occurrence according to
pluralist theory
C. The Elite Theory: Government by a Few
1. The upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy,
regardless of the formal governmental organization
a) The upper-class consists of assets like property, stocks,
and bonds
b) Other powerful institutions control government power,
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such as universities, the military, and media outlets
2. There are at least four ways of describing political elites:
a) They reflect a dominant social class
b) They are a group of business, military, labor union, and
elected officials that control all decisions
c) They are appointed bureaucrats that run everything
d) They are representatives of large interest groups that are
in charge
3. Elite theorists believe
a) One percent of the American population controls most of
the policy decisions because they can afford to finance
election campaigns
b) These elites do not just control policy; they are the
policymakers
c) Elite status can be obtained by anyone living in a
democracy, unlike an Aristocracy
(1) All societies in the world are divided into classes and
unequal distribution in society is normal
d) America is not governed by the majority
4. A prime example of the Elite Theory is the government bailout
of 2008 when a few members in the Federal government
decided to provided billions of dollars to corporate executives
to save certain financial institutions
D. The Bureaucratic Theory: Government by Administrators
1. Power resides in the hands of government bureaucrats
2. First argued by sociologist Max Weber
a) He argued that all large organizations tend toward the
bureaucratic form with all decision-making power
devolving to career administrations whose experiences
exceed that of elected officials
3. All institutions fall under the control of a large, growing
bureaucracy which carries out policy using standardized
procedures
a) Bureaucratic agencies include
(1) The Department of the Treasury
(2) The Federal Reserve Board
(3) The Department of Homeland Security
(4) And many more
b) These agencies can affect issues like interest rates,
mortgage rates, and travel procedures
4. Bureaucrats
a) Can become dominant because of their tenure in office
and expertise in a field
b) Largely permanent in their positions, unlike elected
officials whose positions are determined by elections
c) Like the elites, favor policies that support their own
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agencies, as opposed to those that favor the majority
5. Bureaucratic Theory can be effective because for the most
part bureaucrats are invisible to the American public
III. What are the challenges that political theories face in a democracy?
A. Increased complexity of issues in American society
1. Traditional democratic theory argues that ordinary citizens can
reach political judgment on their own
2. However, in today’s society, issues have become so complex
that they exceed the general knowledge of the public
a) Examples
(1) Taxes (who should be taxed? why?)
(2) Diplomatic relations with foreign countries (is there a
war on terrorism, or a war against countries that
harbor terrorists?)
(3) The federal budget
3. Democratic societies do not demand that citizens know
everything
4. For this reason, the founding fathers believed that the real
power of the government should lie with the educated, male
property owners, or representatives
5. Although people in society have greatly increased their
knowledge of politics in American society, informed decisionmaking still lies with the representatives
B. Limited Participation in Government
1. Americans do not take full advantage of the power that they
can have over government
2. There is a trend of low voter turnout in several different
demographic areas
a) Young people (18–24)
b) Hispanic community
c) African American community
(1) Although there was a significant increase in the
African American voter turnout in 2008 (Harrison,
Harris, 2011)
3. Since the 1960’s America has seen a decline of trust in the
government
4. Many Americans believe that “big government” is not the
solution to social problems because it is wasteful and
impractical
5. Political cynicism dropped briefly following the terrorist attacks
on September 11, 2001, and showed Americans that the
nation will support the government in a time of crisis
C. Diverse Political Interests
1. The diversity of the American public is reflected in the diverse
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political interests in America
a) American society is often referred to as a “melting pot”
society
2. When persons’ and/or groups’ interests conflict with one
another, it is often hard to establish policy
3. Policy gridlock is often the result of conflicting opinions
a) Policy gridlock – a condition that occurs when interests
conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a
majority and establish policy; nothing gets accomplished
4. A major challenge to democracy in America is to overcome the
stalemate created by diverse interests and deliver policies that
are responsive to all citizens’ needs
IV. How has political theory changed in American society?
A. The role of economic interests, powerful elites, bureaucrats, interest
groups and individuals roles in shaping of government and policy
1. The true changes in government and policy have come from
a) The increased size of the federal government
b) The increased scope of the government’s involvement in
the lives of Americans
c) Continual creation of government institutions
(1) The Department of Homeland Security and the
Transportation Security Administration were both
created within the past 10 years
d) The direction of policies is reflected in the complex
changes in society and the role that government plays in
society
B. The role of government in citizens’ lives has changed dramatically
since its creation in the late 1700’s
1. Until the 1920’s the government played a small role in the lives
of the American citizens
2. The role of government began to change in the 1930’s when
the federal government created several programs to help
citizens during the Great Depression
a) The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed
millions of people during the Great Depression
b) Citizens were hired to carry out public works projects,
which included building roads and public buildings
3. Until the late 1970’s the federal government felt that it was
responsible for solving any economic or social problem that
existed in the United States
4. In the 1980’s the federal government had the reverse
assumption under President Ronald Reagan. The Reagan
administration
a) Cut taxes that were levied by the federal government
b) Cut the federal budget
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c) Cut the number of regulations that were imposed on
businesses
5. There is no simple theory of politics, the theory of big
government in the 1930’s and the theory of smaller
government in the 1980’s both pulled America out of economic
hardships
C. The role of foreign affairs
1. America has taken an interest in foreign affairs during certain
periods in American history
2. The U.S. first had an interest in foreign affairs when it sought
to expand the nation into lands that were already claimed by
Canada and Mexico
a) The Republic of Texas
(1) Had land that extended from Texas all the way into
modern day Colorado
(2) Joined the nation in 1836 after the defeat of Mexico
at the Battle of San Jacinto
b) Louisiana Purchase – the US acquired more land
c) Manifest Destiny – the theory of land expansion and
promoting democracy
3. In the late 1890’s America began to expand its territory into the
Caribbean and the Pacific in order to rival the power of the
British Empire
4. Since the end of World War II in the 1940’s, the US has
assumed the role of “world police”
a) Some political theorists believe that playing this role
leaves the U.S. vulnerable to attacks and that more focus
should be spent on domestic issues
b) Others believe that it is the duty of the American
government to protect our nation and its allies
5. Foreign affairs have changed dramatically over time; what
began as fears of foreign expansion, turned into fears of
communism and most recently threats of nuclear terrorist
attacks
D. The nature of politics
1. The way in which the federal government handles issues like
social welfare differs from other democratic nations around the
world
2. Americans must remember our federal government has not
always operated in the way that it does today; changes can
and will occur in the political process
3. Political change is not always explained by new laws and
policies; it is often determined by who is governing
V. How has technology affected political theories in American society?
A. Technology has revolutionized the political process
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1. The Internet allows citizens to get their information through
web-based news sites
a) Most Internet news sources, however, report biased
information which can often mislead voters (i.e. blogs)
2. Social networking sites have also revolutionized the way that
voters can connect with their representatives and organizers
a) Some candidates have used them as tools for grassroots
organizations
b) Some are favorable during campaigns because they are
inexpensive and most of the time free
c) Video sharing websites are often used by politicians to
broadcast speeches, press conferences, and political
advertisements
3. Over the past 10 years the term e-campaigning was established
to identify the mobilization of voters using the Internet
4. The Internet had an effect on politics similar to the effect that the
radio had when President FDR began his series of “Fireside
Chats”
5. Since the creation of the Internet in the early 2000’s, youth
involvement in the political process has increased dramatically
B. The negative political impact of the Internet
1. The explosion of the Internet in politics has also created a
problem for the political process, misinformation
a) Unlike newspapers, magazines, and television networks,
the Internet is not responsible for accuracy and factchecking
2. The Internet is almost entirely unmonitored
3. Bloggers and message boards seek to destroy the reputation
of opposing candidates
a) This kind of information can be devastating to a
politician’s campaign
b) Lies and slanderous accusations can often come with no
consequences on the Internet
4. Although computers have revolutionized the political process,
computers are still subject to hackers
a) Computerized elections leave voters susceptible to the
theft of personal information
b) Hackers could potentially falsify election results
Activities
1. Who Represents Me? Have students research whom their
representatives are on the local, state, and national levels. After they
identify who represents them, have the students write a small biography
about each candidate including their party affiliation, the numbers of
terms held in that position and their major platforms. Use the Individual
Work Rubric for assessment.
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2. Start a Petition. Do an Internet search for “move on democracy in
action.” Find a website that allows viewers to start a free petition. Divide
the students into groups. Have each group create a petition for school
or community improvement. After creating the petition, have the
students use outlets (learned about in this lesson) to spread the word
about their petition’s needing signatures. Use the Individual Work Rubric
and the Group Evaluation Rubric for assessment.
3. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! Have students create a collage
using images that depict the value of liberty in the U.S. Have students
prepare and provide an explanation of why the pictures represent
liberty. Use newspapers and/or magazines as resources for images.
Note: you may also want to use a free Internet site to create virtual
boards online. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Introduction to Political Science Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Group Evaluation Rubric
Research Rubric
Materials
Introduction to Political Science computer-based presentation
Introduction to Political Science Key Terms
Computers with Internet access
Newspapers and/or magazines
Resources
Bose, Meena, John Dilulio, and James Wilson. American Government:
Institutions and Policies. 13th. Boston: Wadsworth Cenage Learning,
2013. Ch. 4. Print.
Edwards, George, Robert Lineberry, and Martin Wattenberg. Government
in American: People, Politics and Policy. 15th. New York City: Pearson
Education, 2011. Ch. 1, Ch. 11. Print.
Harrison, Brigid, and Jean Harris. American Democracy Now. 2nd. New
York City: McGraw Hill, 2011. Ch. 1, Ch. 9. Print.
O'Conner, Karen, Larry Sabato, and Alixandra Yanus. American
Government: Roots and Reform. 11th. New York City: Pearson
Education, 2011. Ch. 1. Print.
Patterson, Thomas. The American Democracy. 9th. New York City:
McGraw Hill , 2009. Ch 1. Print.
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will create a chart titled “Classic American
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Theories.” In one column, the students will provide a definition of each
theory and in the other they will provide a real life example of that theory
being applied in a citizen’s life. These theories include
 Liberty
 Equality
 Popular Consent
 Majority Rule
 Popular Sovereignty
 Natural Law
 Individualism
 Religious Freedoms
Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, students will write a 3–5 page research paper on an
emerging theory known as the Hyper-Pluralist Theory in contemporary
politics. The paper should include key points of the Hyper-Pluralist Theory
and provide examples of the groups who would dominate in a HyperPluralist type of society. Students should also provide a comparison of the
Hyper-Pluralist Theory to both the Pluralist and Elite Theories. Use the
Research Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.183. Political Science I (One to Two Credits).
(1)
The student analyzes classic and contemporary political
theories. The student is expected to:
(A)
discuss why theories are important to the study of
political science;
College and Career Readiness Standards
Social Studies Standards
I. Interrelated Disciplines and Skills
C. Change and continuity of political ideologies, constitutions, and
political behavior
1. Evaluate different governmental systems and functions.
2. Evaluate changes in the functions and structures of government
across time.
3. Explain and analyze the importance of civic engagement.
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Introduction to Political Science Key Terms
Politics – the process by which we select our government leaders and what policies they
pursue (Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry, 2011)
Popular Consent – the principle that governments must draw their powers from the consent of
the governed
Majority Rule – the central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively
garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law
Individualism – the idea that people should take the initiative, be self-sufficient, and
accumulate the material advantages necessary for their own well-being
Political Culture – the people’s collective beliefs and attitudes about governments and the
political process
The Pluralist Theory – a theory of government and politics emphasizing that many groups,
each pressing for its preferred polices, compete and counterbalance one another in
the political marketplace
The Elite Theory – a theory of government and politics contending that an upper-class elite
will hold most of the power and in effect run the government
The Bureaucratic Theory – a theory of government and politics in which large-scale
organizations develop into the bureaucratic form, with the effect that administrators
make key policy decisions
Policy Gridlock – a condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong
enough to for a majority to establish policy, so nothing gets accomplished
E-Campaigning – the practice of mobilizing voters using the Internet
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
Introduction to Political Science Quiz
1. _____ The idea that a group of wealthy, educated individuals wields most of the
political power is called which of the following?
A. Pluralist Theory
B. Elite Theory
C. Rational Choice Theory
D. Democratic Theory
2. _____ Which of the following statements is the best indication of pluralism in American
politics?
A. The American Association of Retired Persons has the largest
membership of any interest groups
B. Third parties often endorse candidates for office, but rarely win elections
C. Citizens are able to vote in local, state and national elections
D. Numerous interest groups lobby congress each year
3. _____ According to traditional democratic theory all of the following are characteristics
of an ideal democracy except
A. Freedom of speech
B. The Bill of Rights
C. Equality of voting
D. Consent of the governed
4. _____ Which of the following concepts is fundamental to democracies?
A. Economic equality
B. Tyranny of the majority
C. Majority rule with minority rights
D. Seniority
5. _____ According to the pluralists, a wealthy interest group would do which of the
following?
A. Have more access to policymakers
B. Compete with other interest groups for an equal share
C. Manipulate public opinion to support legislation
D. Have no influence on policy agenda
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6. _____ Political culture refers to which of the following?
A. The ideological breakdown of a population on the political spectrum
B. Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how
government should operate
C. The set of assumptions about how the world works and the individual’s
underlying human nature
D. The set of policies that an individual supports that are rooted in the
person’s underlying belief about human nature and how the world works
7. _____ Proponents of the pluralist theory argue that power is nearly evenly distributed
among interest groups because
A. The public participates equally in different types of interest groups
B. All interest groups receive the same amount of federal funds
C. Competition prevents any one group from becoming more influential
D. Interest groups get the same attention from politicians
8. _____ Which political theory believes that all of the power is held by a small group of
wealthy individuals?
A. The Elite Theory
B. The Pluralist Theory
C. The Bureaucratic Theory
D. The Hyper-pluralist Theory
9. _____ A condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough
to form a majority and establish policy is condition is known as which of the
following?
A. Policy Diversity
B. Policy Gridlock
C. Policy Shaping
D. Policy Setting
10. _____ Politics can be best described as
A. The most important characteristics of a democratic form of government
B. The commonly shared set of beliefs and values about how government
should operate
C. A theory that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that
are apart of nature
D. The process by which we select our government leaders and what
policies they pursue
11. _____ Which of the following is not a part of traditional democratic theory?
A. Citizens control of the media
B. Equality in voting
C. Effective participation
D. Enlightened understanding
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12. _____ Bureaucratic Theory was first argued by which of the following?
A. Karl Marx
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Max Weber
D. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
13. _____ Low political participation in society is often due to all of the following factors
except which?
A. Increased complexity of issues in American politics
B. Limited access to politicians
C. Mistrust in government
D. Diverse political interests
14. _____ E-Campaigning has revolutionized the political process through which of the
following?
A. Mobilizing voters using the Internet
B. Spreading biased information about political opponents
C. Broadcasting speeches and press conferences of political candidates
D. Providing a way for voters to read news information
15. _____ The theory of expanding territory and promoting democracy is referred to as
which of the following?
A. Elite Theory
B. Manifest Destiny
C. Melting Pot Theory
D. Bush Doctrine
16. _____ Under President Ronald Reagan the federal government assumed the theory of
smaller federal government by doing which of the following?
A. Cutting the number of immigrants that were to be granted citizenship
B. Cutting taxes that were levied by the federal government
C. Cutting the federal budget
D. Cutting the number of regulations that were imposed on businesses
17. _____ The personal liberties of American citizens are outlined in which of the following
documents?
A. The Declaration of Independence
B. The United States Constitution
C. The Bill of Rights
D. The Federalist Papers
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18. _____ Political change can often be explained by all of the following factors except
which of the following?
A. New laws
B. New policies
C. Who is governing
D. Attention in the media
19. _____ How has the role of the federal government changed dramatically since the
1700’s?
A. The role of the federal government has changed very little since the
1700’s
B. The role of the federal government began to change in the 1930’s when
the government created several social welfare programs for citizens
during the Great Depression
C. In the 1980’s President Reagan felt that the role of the federal
government should be that the government is responsible for solving
economic and social problems in the United States
D. The role of the federal government was reduced significantly following the
Civil War, and more responsibility was given to the state’s governments
20. _____ Because the Constitution prohibits an official religion, the U.S. has seen more
A. Religious diversity
B. Decline in membership in religious institutions
C. Increase in contentious religious differences
D. Decrease in the power of culture to shape the individual
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Introduction to Political Science Quiz Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
B
D
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
D
A
C
B
A
B
A
C
D
B
C
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Name_______________________________
Date________________
Group Evaluation
Group 1
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 2
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
18
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Group 3
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 4
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
19
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Group 5
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 6
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
20
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
21
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
22
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
23
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.