Civics_Ch7_webquest

=**State Government Web Quest**=


 * Task:** Learn the history and role of Pennsylvania government as well as the importance of local government.


 * Process:** You are just an average citizen not realizing the importance of state and local government. However, you are sitting in class when you realize the role that state and local government plays in our lives. Follow the steps of the web quest.


 * Steps:**


 * You're a 7th grade student in Mr. Hill's Civics class learning the ins and outs of our government and how to be a good citizen, when you come to the realization that Civics should be learned by students in every school in PA and taught every year of school (that'd be great)! You raise your hand and tell Mr. Hill that you intend to call Congressman Rothfus and Senators Toomey and Casey to get them to introduce a bill to get change. Mr. Hill tells you of one small problem - Rothfus is your federal level representative and Toomey and Casey are your federal level senators. You see, the federal government doesn't control the education in the states. Education is a state by state issue. Therefore, you have to contact your state representative and your state senator. **(1)** Who is your state representative? [|Click here for help] **(2)** Who is your state senator? [|Click here for help]


 * You also realize that the U.S. President can't be much help since the President is part of the federal level. Therefore, you must contact the governor. You decide to contact the governor and his second in command. **(3)** Who is the PA governor? [|Click here for help] **(4)** Who is behind the governor and what is the name of his position? [|Click here for help]


 * The governor's office helped you out a little bit by putting you in contact with the PA department that deals with education inside Pennsylvania. **(5)** What is the name of that department? [|Click here for help]


 * This department invited you to come and give your opinion on how learning Civics in all schools each year would make each student better. This department is interesting in hearing from students. They invited you to come to the capital to discuss your thoughts on education. So, you're going to the PA capital. **(6)** Which city are you going to? [|Click here for help]


 * On your way to the capital, you noticed how nice the roads were in terms of being paved and clean. You thought about how in the winter the roads get plowed and taken care of so that you can still travel rather easily. **(7)** Which department takes care of the state roads? [|Click here for help]


 * In Harrisburg, you see various signs that call your state the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." **(8)** Why is PA called a "commonwealth?" [|Click here for help]


 * You also see a symbol that says PA is the "Keystone State." You notice that it's the symbol used to mark state roads like route 160 and route 30 in Shade. It's also the symbol for the lottery. **(9)** Why is PA called the "Keystone State?" [|Click here for here]


 * You go to your meeting with PDE (PA Department of Education) and you express to them that you didn't know what PA was called a "commonwealth" or the "Keystone State." You also tell them that you don't know a whole lot about the PA Constitution...you didn't even know each state had a constitution! The department said it'd be a good idea if all citizens knew about their home state and said they would look to use your idea of learning Civics every year. So, let's take a look at the PA Constitution: [|Here is the link to the Pennsylvania Constitution:] Use this link for 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17.


 * **(10)** What is the General Assembly? Hint - it's Article II of the PA Constitution.


 * **(11)** There are 253 members of the General Assembly. How many are senators and how many are representatives? First go to the [|State House] link and see how many districts there are. Then, go to the [|State Senate] link.


 * **(12)** What are the length of terms and requirements to be in the General Assembly (senator and representative)? You'll have to look in Article II.


 * **(13)** What positions make up the Executive Department? Article IV Section 1


 * **(14)** What are the requirements to be governor? Stay in Article IV.


 * **(15)** The PA Supreme Court is the highest state court. There are 7 justices with one being the State Chief Justice. How do state justices (and other state judges for that matter) get their jobs? You don't need a site...state judges are e-- not appointed.


 * **(16)** What is the Superior Court? What about Commonwealth Court? Hint - Article V


 * **(17)** What is the type of court that is the type in Somerset at the County Courthouse that is where cases of criminal law (when someone breaks a law) or civil law (a lawsuit) are first hear? Article V Section 5


 * Now you know a little more about the PA Constitution. PA's first state constitution was completed in 1776. It was revised in 1790, 1838, 1874, and most recently 1968. In terms of the founding of Pennsylvania, PA's founder William Penn set up a law code based on Quaker principles. **(18)** What was the name of this document? [|Click here for help]


 * In 1701, Penn's **Charter of Privileges** was put into effect in PA and remained as the law of PA until the PA constitution was written in 1776. Penn's Quaker principles/religious principles were evident in this document as well. **(19)** What was the requirement to be involved in PA's government according to this document? [|Click here for help] (it will also help you to go to the edit button at the top on your menu and click find, then type the word "believe" to find what belief was required to be in PA government).


 * In 1776, the PA Constitution was written. State constitutions have preambles that tell about the states' foundation. PA's founding documents emphasized religion. **(20)** Why was it written and what were the ideas it was dedicated to? [|Click here for help]


 * Conclusion:** Well, hopefully you were able to convince the PA Department of Education and the General Assembly along with the governor. You were able to find some good answers to some good questions. On your own, check out the rest of the PA Constitution that you didn't have to answer questions for to understand more about our state. **THINKING CRITICALLY:** Why is it important for PA citizens to know the basic information about their state?


 * Questions:** You should be able to answer the following questions:
 * 1) Who is your current governor?
 * 2) What position is second in command be the governor and who is it?
 * 3) Who is your state representative?
 * 4) Who is your state senator?
 * 5) What is the capital of PA?
 * 6) How do judges in PA get their jobs?
 * 7) Which level has control in terms of education?
 * 8) The Great Law of 1682 was based on which principles?
 * 9) How is religion a requirement in the Charter of Privileges?
 * 10) What does each state (include PA) have that outlines their government?
 * 11) Who takes care of the driving laws and the roads in PA?
 * 12) Which freedom was the most important fundamental freedom in PA?


 * Bonus:** Create a 25 question Internet guide (with answer key) on Pennsylvania state agencies. Go to the link provided and when you're there you'll see the words state agenices listed at the top on the right. Use that to visit various agencies. You should have no more than 2 questions from each agency and the questions have to be about what the agency does and why the agency is important. [|Link for the bonus]

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