Title
A Look at Congress (Jill Long)
Goals
1) Students will explore the concept of apportionment in a real setting.
2) Students will develop research skills, and gain power through found resources.
3) Students will connect math to writing and social studies.
Abstract
In this activity, students will be using a variety of research methods to determine how the number of representatives in the House is delegated per state. This activity is envisioned as a problem of week type of assignment. Students will already have been introduced to the Hamilton, Jefferson, Webster, and Hill methods of apportionment.
Problem Statement
To introduce this problem, I might talk about some controversial issue that has just passed the House or the Senate. A good discussion of the two legislative bodies hopefully will come out of this. Some questions that I will bring up if the students don't are: What is the difference between the House and the Senate? Which group has more power? How do they determine who is on each body? How is the number of representatives decided?
Instructor Suggestions
1) Start with the problem statement. I would try to look in that mornings paper for something about the Senate or House to start my discussion with.
2) Stimulate the discussion with thought provoking questions.
3) Leave this as open ended as possible. Let them take it where they would like to go. Handing out a rubric beforehand will give them a little more direction.
Materials
Handout, newspaper if possible
Time
Introduction (5 min), Discussion (2-20)?, Presentations? (if they are really into it)
Mathematics Concepts
Discrete Mathematics Concepts
Apportionment, weighted voting, voting power, coalitions, quotas, Jefferson method, Hamilton method, Webster method, Hill method
Related Mathematics Concepts
Arithmetic Mean, Geometric Mean
NCTM Standards Addressed
Problem Solving, Reasoning, Connections, Algebra, Discrete Mathematics
Colorado Model Content Standards Addressed
Algebraic Methods (2), Problem Solving techniques (5), Linking Concepts and Procedures (6)
Curiculum Integration
This activity could be integrated with a Social Studies class while they are studying Congress. Within the math classes, this is a good activity for a problem of a week which doesn't necessarily have to tie into the topics discussed in class that week.
Further Investigation
This activity could be extended by estimating the population in the year 2000, and determining the number of representatives each state should have.
References/Resources