The Big Sort

The Big Sort

Societal Shift in America

Overview of The Lesson

We are about to watch an excerpt from a video summarizing a book called The Big Sort. This book has some
fascinating ideas that we will be using as supporting evidence in an op-ed we will be reading. So, paying attention
to this video is crucial because it will provide valuable information.

We will be watching the video twice. We will watch it the first time without stopping, so you can focus on the big
ideas without taking any notes. Then, we will watch it again, but this time, we will pause it after each point to allow
you to clarify the ideas with your peers and write them down in your own words.

In this video, we will explore Bishop's main idea and purpose. We will also discuss how Bishop describes
American life in the 1960s and how he described life in 2004 when he wrote the book. Additionally, we will be
discussing the factors that caused the change and the effects of this change.

Replay

Watch the video again. This
time, look at the guiding
questions and pause the video
when you need to capture the
answers.

What are Bishop’s main ideas and
purposes?
How does Bishop describe American
life in the 1960s?
How does Bishop describe American
life in 2004, when he wrote the
book? According to Bishop, what
factors caused the change?
What are some effects of this
change?

Task

Guiding Questions

Composition
Book

Take notes and answer
guiding questions in your
composition book.

​The following slide will provide the guiding questions. You can open the questions while watching the video.

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Dropdown

How does the Big Sort differ from traditional segregation?

Select answer

Drag and Drop

How did the Big Sort effect election outcomes?

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Voter turnout shifted

Voter turnout decreased

Voter turnout remained the same

Voter turnout increased

Multiple Choice

What is the main result of the Big Sort?

• People are more politically divided

• People are more socially connected

• People are more geographically dispersed

• People are more economically stratified

Multiple Choice

How has the Big Sort altered the way Americans view politics?

• It has caused people to become more politically engaged

• It has caused people to view politics more negatively.

• It has caused people to be more politically active

• It has caused people to be less politically active

Dropdown

What has been the most significant effect of the Big Sort?

Select answer

Open Ended

• What are Bishop’s main ideas and purpose? Use the language function tool to help you write a complete and grammatically correct paragraph.

Open Ended

How does Bishop describe American life in the 1960s? Use the language function tool to help write your grammatically correct paragraph.

Open Ended

• How does Bishop describe American life in 2004, when he wrote the book? According to Bishop, what factors caused the change? Use the language function tool to help write your grammatically correct paragraph.

Open Ended

• How does Bishop describe American life in 2004, when he wrote the book? According to Bishop, what factors caused the change? Use the language function tool to help write your grammatically correct paragraph.

Draw

Draw a picture or symbol that best communicates the concept of polarization.

Open Ended

• Write a paragraph describing the concept of Polarization. Include characteristics, examples, non-examples, causes, and effects. Use the language function tool to help write your grammatically correct paragraph.