Louisiana’s Congressional Districts

• Whiteboard or projector 
• Markers 
• Chart paper or online collaborative tool (like Padlet) 
• U.S. Constitution (Article 1 Section 2) 
• Redistricting in Louisiana (Introduction Paragraph and State Process Paragraph) 

Engage

• Begin class with a brief discussion on the concept of representation. Ask students: How can we ensure fair representation in a large and diverse state like Louisiana?  List student ideas on the board or have students submit them to an online collaborative tool. Then distribute the U.S. Constitution (Article 1 Section 2) for students to read.  Ensure students understand that in a republic, representatives make decisions on our behalf. As needed, explain the purpose of the census in the apportionment process. 

Explore

• Next, tell students you will now explore the process for drawing Louisiana districts. Distribute Redistricting in Louisiana  

Facilitation Note:Instruct students to only read the Introduction Paragraph and State Process Paragraph.

•  Students read independently, then answer the following questions in pairs or small groups: 
  • What is redistricting, and why is it done? 
  • How many members of the United States House of Representatives does Louisiana have? 
  • How many Louisiana state legislators are there? 
  •  Who is involved in the redistricting process in Louisiana? 

Divide students into groups. Assign each one to research one of the following elections online. Use as many or as few of the following depending on class size. 

• 2022 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Louisiana 
• 2008 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Louisiana 
• 1992 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Louisiana 
• 1974 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Louisiana 

 Using their assigned election year, students answer the following questions: 

• How many congressional districts were there? 
• What were the results of the election (winners and party affiliation)? 
• How did the Louisiana results impact the makeup of the national government? 

Reconvene the class and facilitate a discussion based on their research findings. Focus on the following questions: 

• How did the number of congressional districts change across the different election years researched? 
• Did the election results vary significantly between elections? 
• How might congressional districting have impacted the outcomes of these elections? 
• How do congressional districts affect representation in Louisiana and nationally? 

Assess and Reflect

• Exit Ticket: Students write a short reflection addressing the essential question: How do congressional districts in Louisiana impact representation and elections? 

• Exit Ticket Prompts (Optional): Consider including prompts to encourage deeper reflection, such as: 
  • Do you think the current redistricting process in Louisiana is fair? Why or why not?
  • What are some potential consequences of gerrymandering (drawing districts to favor a particular party or group)? 

 Extend 

• Mock Redistricting: Divide the class into groups and have them create their own congressional district maps for Louisiana. Students should consider factors like population, communities of interest, and geographical boundaries. 

• Debate: Hold a class debate on the merits of different redistricting methods. One side argues for a non-partisan approach, while the other argues for allowing for some level of political consideration in the process.