Linkage Institutions 
By:  Kyle Stumpf

Project at a Glance:

This project is for a 11th/12th grade AP Government class.  The unit focuses on linkage institutions, things that connect people to the government.  This will give them a chance to analyze linkage institutions at a national, state, and local level. 
       
Driving Question:

How can linkage institutions ( political parties, elections, interest groups and mass media) better connect citizens to their government?             

Standards:

• Analyze the role of a citizen and its relationship to the government. 
• Analyze issues facing the United States and its citizens. 
• Research
• Collaborative discussion and peer team work

Team / Culture Building:

• Use Flippity or Value Cards protocol to learn more about classmates.​

​Entry Event:

• American society protocol:  American relics class activity and discussion​.

Stakeholders:

• Community members
• Government entities
• Local organizations

Empathy Building:

• Conduct interviews
• Create Stakeholder Map

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

• The Need to knows will be driven by the Hopes and Fears protocol.  Or having the students rewrite or rephrase the driving question.  ​ ​

​Incubation:

•  Use the Idea Quota or Tell it to a  Toddler protocol to get students thinking outside the box.  
• Idea Quota protocol - give students 10 minutes to generate as many ideas as possible.  

Checking in:

• Use daily check ins with conversation on successes, things to work on, etc. 
• Use the SWOT analysis to evaluate progress.

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Solution Building:

• Students will participate in either the 3 -12-3 protocol or Rule of Thirds.  
• Followed by using the Group and Saturate protocol to organize ideas.
• The NUF Test and $100 Test will assist students in narrowing down their solution ideas.  

Critique and Revision: 

• Students will use the results of the  NUF and $100 Tests Test during Critical Friends to get feedback from peers.

Authentic Audience:

• Government officials
• Local government agencies
• Non-profit groups
• Various stakeholders
• Community focused groups 

Final Presentation:

• Students pitched their ideas to various stakeholders for feedback.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

​Reflection and Feedback:

• ​Students will complete a feedback form developed by Jenison Social Studies teachers for PBL projects.
• Students will respond to What I liked/What I would like to do better next time prompt.
• Group/Class reflection with authentic audience at end of the class.​

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

Meet the Educator:

​Kyle Stumpf teaches AP Government and Politics, AP European History, and Government at Jenison High School in Jenison, MI.  

     "PBL helps develop problem solving and communication skills while giving students an opportunity to practice critical thinking in real world situations.  Our students are the leaders of tomorrow and PBL helps develop them into better leaders."