Students will use this chart to guide their research of their senator. They will begin by using the topic suggestion bank to choose an area of government importance, then students will research how the senator has acted in regards to that area (ie any bills they have written/ co-sponsored and how they have voted). Students will also practice citing various online sources as they conduct this research .

Once students have researched their senators actions, they will also analyze the impact of their actions (if their actions were beneficial, harmful, or unimportant; if they went too far or didn't do enough, etc.).

They will continue this process to complete a 10 section chart research char.

Includes a full example chart featuring my AZ senator Kyrsten Sinema (11 topics) with linked sources.

This was a great way for my students to practice their researching skills, evaluate if a source is credible, summarizing official writings (such as bills), thinking critically as they examine both what a politicians says and what they do (ie. bills they sponsor/ write and voting history) and analyzing how their senator's choices impact their own lives.

Though there's many ways to use this in your own lesson plans, I plan to use the "I do, we do, you do" model where I complete and will explain the chart I made for one senator (Sinema), have them work in small groups to complete a chart for their other state senator (Mark Kelly), and then letting each student complete a third chart by themselves using a senator from another state of their choice.