Invite a local or state representative or an appointed official to your class to conduct a "group" interview.

Teachers may present a brief biography of the politician. Then, each class member can suggest ideas of what the focus of the interview could be, based on the interests of the students and/or the expertise of the politician. Take a vote to see which topic or topic(s) will be the focus. The students can then create an "invitation" with the date and time of the interview, and the general subject of the interview.

Brainstorm a list of questions based on the topic, not forgetting the basic life and work history questions. The teacher can develop an outline of these questions to see which areas may have been left out.

Variation: The interview may be conducted in written format. Students can draft a paragraph stating their focus or theme, along with their list of questions and a letter of request, and then send them to the politician (the teacher should get the politician's agreement to participate in advance). The responses can be divided and then read and analyzed in directed small groups.

Activity extension: After the interview, each child is given the assignment to write a paragraph (or list reasons) as to whether they would like to hold an elected or appointed office and why or why not based upon what they have learned.

Topics and questions:
For this grade cluster, questions should focus on the process of selecting leaders through election and the responsibility elected officials have to the people. Questions ideally will reveal that the idea that elected and appointed officials have authority, demonstrate responsibility and give/receive respect is a foundation of American society.

Standards: Social Studies-Civics; Social Studies-History; Language Arts-Written and Oral Communication; Language Arts-Research; Language Arts-Reading, Connecting Self to Society; Language arts-Reading, Examine meaning of text.