Zinnia+and+Dot+Reinforcing+activity

=Zinnia and Dot Reinforcing Activity= Use this activity to explain how political parties often disagree but must come together for the common good of the people.


 * __Objective:__** Students will be able to work together with others to come up with an agreement for a treat by explaining why they want their option and comprising with others.

__**Materials:**__ //Zinnia and Dot// book A room that can be set up in a debate format

__**Procedure:**__
 * 1) Read //Zinnia and Dot// //.//
 * 2) Ask students if they have ever had a disagreement with another person that ended with a compromise so that there could be a positive outcome.
 * 3) Survey the students about who would rather have chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies (or another similar options, please be mindful of food allergies and school policies).
 * 4) Explain to the students that you want to get a the class a treat but are unsure of whether to get chocolate chip or sugar cookies. Listen to them shout out ideas and then tell them that 95 percent of the class must agree on what pet to get or there will be no treat.
 * 5) Split the class into groups based on what type of cookie they prefer.
 * 6) Give students time to prepare ways to convince the other side that they should get that particular treat.
 * 7) Give time for each side to present their arguments.
 * 8) After the debate take a heads down hands up vote for the treat they are going to bring in.
 * 9) Regardless of the vote tell them they didn’t make the 95 percent cut off, that too many people disagreed. Say that it looks like they won’t be getting a treat since they cannot agree.
 * 10) Explain that this sometimes happens with political parties in the government.
 * 11) Offer them one more chance by suggesting a 3rd option that could act as a comprise.
 * 12) Ask each side to come up with pros and cons for the 3rd option.
 * 13) Have a spokesperson for each side share the pros and cons they came up with.
 * 14) Have the class have a discussion about the three options, reminding the students that unless if they all agree they will not be getting a treat.
 * 15) Take a heads down hand up vote.
 * 16) Announce what option one.
 * 17) Have students discuss the processes they went through to come up with this compromise. Ask how this might also happen in the government.

Make sure to actually buy the class the treat that was agreed upon so students feel like they were working towards a real goal.

Pre-Kindergarten Government Strand-Civic Participation and Skills 8. Choices have consequences
 * __Other standards to use with this book:__**

Kindergarten Economic Strand-Scarcity <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">11-People have many wants and make decisions to satisfy those wants. These decisions impact others.