Idaho Social Studies 9-12.GOV.53
The Standard
Explain the impact of reapportionment and redistricting on elections and governance.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · The American Electoral System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students distinguish between shifting House seats among states after a census and drawing new district lines within a state. They use seat counts and maps to explain how these changes can affect election winners and which communities representatives serve.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given seat counts from two censuses, students can identify which states gained or lost House seats. Given two district maps, they can compare election results and explain how new boundaries might change a representative's priorities.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think a state can gain House seats simply by redrawing its districts. They may also assume that districts with equal populations must produce close elections or give every community the same political voice.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A state gains one House seat after the census, then draws a map that splits a city between two districts. Name each change and explain one possible effect on an election or on whom representatives listen to.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Arrange 20 A/B precinct tiles in a 4-by-5 grid; draw four connected five-tile districts, then tally which party wins each.
Ask: If a state gains two House seats after a census, who might gain influence in Congress, and why?
Give teams 2010 and 2020 seat counts for Texas (36, 38), California (53, 52), and Florida (27, 28); tally gains and losses.
Compare your state's 2010 and 2020 House seat totals, then locate your school on a current congressional district map.
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