CIV.24

Lobby Day

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Game Info for Teachers

COMBINED RATING

4.5 Stars

TEACHERS (2)

4.5

STUDENTS (0)

0.0

LENGTH

20 Minutes

GRADES

CAPABILITIES

Spanish Language Support

Text-to-Speech Support

Saves Progress

Description

Build an interest group, rally citizens, and influence public policy across different branches of government.

Vocabulary Words

Advocacy

Coalitions

First Amendment

Interest Groups

Litigation

Lobbying

Persuasion Strategies

Policy Proposals

Public Policy

Instructions

Play through this interactive game to learn about Interest Groups. Suitable for Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8.

Main Concepts

Interest groups are organized groups that try to influence government policy and public decisions without directly running the government.

Interest groups represent the concerns, goals, or values of particular members, causes, industries, or communities.

Interest groups influence government by lobbying public officials and providing information about issues and policy proposals.

Interest groups try to shape public policy by persuading lawmakers, administrators, courts, and the public.

Interest groups may use methods such as lobbying, public campaigns, petitions, endorsements, litigation, and grassroots organizing.

Interest groups can help citizens participate in politics by organizing people around shared interests and public issues.

Interest groups differ from political parties because they focus on specific issues or interests rather than running broad campaigns to control government.

Interest groups may influence all branches of government by proposing laws, supporting lawsuits, and shaping how policies are implemented.

The First Amendment protects activities that interest groups often use, including speech, assembly, petition, and association.

Interest groups sometimes work together in coalitions when different organizations share policy goals.

Interest groups are one of several ways that people and organizations try to shape policy in a constitutional democracy.

Discussion Questions

Before the Game

What is the primary difference between a political party (like the Democrats or Republicans) and an interest group (like an environmental or animal welfare organization)? Which specific freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment allow interest groups to gather, petition lawmakers, and speak out about their causes?

After the Game

Why is presenting reliable evidence more effective in real-world lobbying than relying solely on emotional appeals? Why do lawmakers rely on interest groups during the lawmaking process? What do interest groups bring to the table besides public opinion?

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Game Details

Difficulty

Content Integration

Lexile Level

N/A

Main Concepts