Sertoma Essay Contest

Old Capitol Sertoma Club has an essay contest.  A 8th grade student will be selected as semi finalist from CCA and win a $100 savings bond and an overall winner will be picked to win a $1000 savings bond.  (Plus I get $100 to spend in my classroom!!!!) I really hope some of you enter this contest.  CCA is guaranteed to have a winner.    Whoever the semi finalist will also have a really nice lunch at the University Athletic Club in Iowa City.  It’s pretty cool and it’s great food.   Did I mention you will get out of school too!

Video is a group of 4th grade kids talking about how Congress should get along ->->->

Please email me rough drafts this weekend so I can give feedback.  I need to mail the essays by Wednesday the 22nd!

Theme of Essay: What do you believe could be done to encourage more compromise between members of US Congress?

You can include or not include the following.  However you must answer question 3.  

1)  What are ways the government is not getting along? Who does this hurt people?
Why did the government shut down?  Could it have been solved through compromise?  How many times has the government been shut down in the past? (listen carefully) Who get's paid in a shutdown? Is that right?  Watch video on right  

2)  Discuss what the founding fathers would of thought of this.  Or were they the same way?   Is there times NOT to compromise? Was the government shut down one of these instances?  Should of been?  Please go to the link below.    
Big vs. Small state debate & Slavery vs. non slavery debate
Strong National government vs. weaker National government
Great fist fights in Congress

3)   How would you fix it?  Could you change rules of congress?  Would it involve changing the Constitution? (Thing back to the rules of being in Senate)

4) Include an a inspiration quote: Brainy Quotes

5) Please cite where you get your information.  You can use http://www.easybib.com/ to help.  Keep track of any inspiration quotes