This computer program at the www.redistrictinggame.org allows students to learn about redistricting and gerrymandering associated with the U.S. House of Representatives. This second part is the more advanced stage. I have students work in groups and complete the form on the computer together, but this could easily be done individually if you have a 1:1 ratio of computers. It does not work if you are using an ipad as my school district provides students...you need computers.
Mission 2: Partisan Gerrymandering
Read the Main Screen and record what your main goals to achieve.
a. Summarize our main goal:
b. What is the political make up of your district at the start of this activity?
Mission 2: Partisan Gerrymandering
After you think you have acheived your goals c. DESCRIBE how we attempted to make more equal voting districts? d. What is the political make up of your district at the end of this activity?
A. Did our plan meet with the approval of the state politicians?
B. Did our plan meet with the approval of the governor? C. Did our plan meet with the approval of the Court System? (checks and balances) D. If we failed in "C", what was the issue? E. How did we resolve this issue? Explain. F. Why is it helpful to have a "compact district"?
Analysis Question: Answer in 2-3 sentences
A. What were three challenges when trying to Gerrymander the districts to achieve control by your political party