Subjects
- Social Studies
--Civics
--Current Events
Grade
Brief Description
Students vote for their favorite candidate for president of the United States. Then, they examine the candidates' positions on four major issues and compare the candidates' positions to their own. Finally, students vote again and discuss whether their votes changed because of what they learned about the candidates' positions on the issues.
Objectives
Students will
- understand and participate in the election process.
- analyze current event topics and offer their opinions.
- share their viewpoints on civic issues.
Keywords
Presidential election, civics, current events Materials Needed
- computer access
- Internet access
- Microsoft Excel or another spreadsheet program
Note: This lesson also can be taught using a computer and projection device.
Lesson Plan
Start the lesson by asking students if they have been watching the debates or otherwise following this year's Presidential election. Explain that they are going to have a chance to voice their vote for one of the two party endorsed presidential candidates.
Provide students with the following instructions:
Note: All steps also can be completed by a teacher or student volunteer working at a single computer with a projector or TV monitor.
- Open Microsoft Excel.
- In cell A1, type Names, hit Return/Enter, and beginning in cell A2, type all students' names in column A.
- In cell B1, type Initial Vote. As each of your classmates shares his or her vote for either George W. Bush or John Kerry, type the candidate's name in Column B, next to the appropriate student's name.
Discuss with students the reasons for their votes. Ask what factors -- family, friends, religion, and so on -- might have influenced their decision.
- Go to America Votes 2004 and notice the eight topics listed under "By Issues."
- Choose 3-4 of the topics to research. Type the topics in cells D1, E1, F1, and G1, one topic to a cell.
- Explore each topic listed. Then, in the appropriate columns next to your name, type the name of the candidate whose viewpoint on that issue most closely resembles your own.
- Look at the candidate name(s) besides your own name in the spreadsheet. Is the candidate you initially voted for the one whose position on the issues you most agree with?
When students have completed the activity, take another vote and once again ask students to share their choice for President. Have students type the preferred candidate's name next to each student's name in Row H. Discuss whether the activity impacted their votes.
Extension Activity:
Encourage students to do additional research on the election's hot issues
using the sites in this month's Election
Sites to See. Then invite students to stage a debate on the issues.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on
- completion of the activity based on teacher observation.
- participation in class discussions.
Lesson Plan Source
Education World
Submitted By
Lorrie Jackson
National Standards
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Civics
GRADES 9 - 12
NSS-C.9-12.1 Civic Life, Politics, and Government
NSS-C.9-12.2 Foundations of the Political System
NSS-C.9-12.3 Principles of Democracy
NSS-C.9-12.5 Roles of the Citizen
Education World®
Copyright © 2004 Education World
10/20/2004
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