When the local school is threatened by difficult financial times, a referendum in the small town of Paris, Wisconsin, brings out passionate debate on both sides of the issue. Whether for or against, the residents of Paris organize their campaigns and put their rights as citizens to work.

Lesson Resources:

Awareness

• What is local government?
• 
  Raising Awareness - Discussion starters
  for Referendum: Paris

Comprehension

• Evaluating Evidence
  
  
• Providing good resources
  
  
• Understanding Referendum: Paris

Engagement

• Assessing Student Experience
  
  
• Examples of Engagement in Referendum: Paris:
  
  2:58 – 3:55  Creating a referendum
  4:05 – 5:00  Researching the issue
  5:01 – 5:45  Attending meetings; organizing
  5:46 – 7:19  Painting signs; getting the word out through email; direct mail; face to face
  7:20 – 8:48  Voting
  8:49 – End   Staying involved
  
  

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