Grade:  4-5

Subjects:  Social Studies,  Math

Duration of Lesson: May require two 60-minute sessions, depending on guest speaker/teacher preference

Learner Outcomes:

• Students will learn how voting machines are used in local elections.
• Students will vote in a class election.
• Students will tally election results.

Technology Tools/Courseware:  multimedia computer with projection device;  ballot machine,  PowerPoint software, digital camera.

Teacher Notes:

• Prior arrangements should be made through the county courthouse to secure a guest speaker and sample ballots and voting machine.
• Teacher should make request parent volunteers to provide snacks for inauguration party.
• Nominees should be given the speech guideline sheet prior to lesson.
• A "polling place" should be created ahead of time.  This could be done in a commons area, such as school cafeteria or gymnasium. Students would remain here under supervision while ballots are counted in a secluded area in order to make the process authentic.
• Student representatives to carry ballot boxes and count results should be selected by teacher.  This provides an opportunity to pair special needs students with a partner to ensure participation by all levels of learners.
• Before printing the ballot, please view the form through print preview and make necessary adjustments/alignments.

Procedures:
· Have guest speaker from county courthouse bring voting machine and sample ballots. Speaker should discuss how
  voting actually takes place and security measures that are in place to provide election results.
· Have two nominees present their final campaign speech.
· Have students vote in the designated "polling place."
· Count results of secret ballot.  This should be done as per the notes above.
· Announce new class president.
· Hold inauguration party!
 

Modifications:
· Students with special learning needs may require a peer tutor to read the ballot orally to them.

Enrichment Activities:
· Students could use digital camera during the campaign process and final speeches to make a PowerPoint slide show.
· If   school has a web page, results/pictures could be posted here following acceptable use policies/procedures in place
  at the school.
 

Evaluation/Assessment:  Teacher should monitor as students count ballots to ensure fair and equitable election results. Students will participate in question-making session next week.  Questions relating to topics covered during The Election Selection will be used to play oral game of  “Who Wants to be a President?”

 West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives (IGOS):

Language Arts:  4.69,  4.70,  4.71,  4.72,  5.1,  5.2,  5.3,  5.4,  5.12,  5.14,  5.21,  5.23,  5.34,  5.55,  5.56,  5.58,  5.59,  5.60,  5.63,  5.180
Listening/Speaking:  4.17
Writing:  4.48,  4.49,  4.52,  4.53,  4.54
Social Studies:  4.2
Study Skills:  4.85
Computer Technology:  4.52
Math: 4.27

Language Arts:
*Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
*Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions.
*Demonstrates competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning.
Life Skills:
*Uses various information sources, including those of a technical nature, to accomplish specific tasks.

Author:
· Kathy Frazier
· Belinda Metz
· Debbie Scritchfield

Ravenswood Grade School
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5