Michigan Government and Me!
                                                    By:  Kimberly Villanueva

Project at a Glance :

This project introduces students to Michigan Government and how the government impacts 3rd and 4th grade students in their daily life at school.

​Driving Question:

How does Michigan Government impact my day at school? How does the state budget impact me as a 3rd/4th grader.        

Standards:

• 3 – C1.0.1, 3 – C3.0.1, 3 – C3.0.3, 3 – C5.0.1 

Team / Culture Building

• Create collaborative groups using the Value Cards activity ​

Entry Event:

• Students will walk in and there will be no ipads, 1 piece of paper, 1 pencil, no recess equipment, no extra fun stuff ) no flexible seating) text books, no specials, and we’ll discuss  the driving question.

Stakeholders:

• Local Government Representatives - including Roger Victory & Bradley Slagh
• Kindergartners, 1st,  & 2nd graders

Empathy Building:

• Students will create Empathy Maps of their own experiences with school supplies/resources
• Ted Talk with Bill Gates-  How state budgets are breaking U.S. schools?
• Ted Talk with Seema Bansal- How to fix a broken education system with no money

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

• KWL Chart-who, what, when, where -Who does government impact?, What is government? When is government important?, Why is government important?
• Conduct interviews with 
  • Cal DeKuiper-Zoom or in person
  • Mayor Klynstra-Zoom or in person
  • State Legislature /representative-zoom or in person (Bradley Slagh and/or Roger Victory)
• Meet Michigan Book Chapter 7 Lessons 1-6 pages 320-362
• Ben’s Guide to Government- Scavenger hunt
• School House Rock Government video       

Incubation:

• Students will use the 3-12-3 protocol to brainstorm ideas​.

• Anti-Problem Protocol: Have students brainstorm the opposite of what they driving question is asking... so How does government not impact me at my age/grade?

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Solution Building:

•  Students will understand how Michigan government impacts them by participating in a simulation where they will recognized what materials are provided to them through funding that the state gives schools. 
• Next, they will participate in the Think-Pair-Share protocol sharing out their solution ideas.  
• Students will use a Dot Voting system to determine what are the most impactful ways that government impacts 3rd/4th graders. 

Critique and Revision: 

• During a Fireside Chat  students will hear feedback from others helping them determine the best solution/s to the problem.
• Gallery Walk - highlighting solution ideas.

Authentic Audience:

• School Board Members
• State and local government leaders
• Superintendent and business office employees

Final Presentation:

• Students final presentation will  include the following:  1.  An essay on how government impacts them-they will choose how it impacts them and who they’d like to send it too.  2.  Students will also create a job advertisement for a role in government. 3.  Students will also create a budget to share with the superintendent and business office.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

​Reflection and Feedback:

• Contact teacher for rubrics. ​

Click here for the  teacher's Journey through PBL on Padlet.

Meet the Educator:

Kimberly Villanueva teaches 3rd & 4th grade at ZQuest School, Zeeland Public Schools.  

​     "I love the excitement and real life connection that students make through the PBL and Design Thinking Process. Students can see how these topics that seem abstract to them are really impacting them."