Read, Learn, Vote
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NIE Lesson Plan – Mock Election 2008
Featured Web Site:
www. nie.lancasteronline.com/election
School contacts register online by Sept. 5 and report student results from their school by Oct. 28.
Lesson Grade Level: Elementary, Middle and High School
Lesson Subject Area: Civics & Government
PA Standards & Assessments: Civics & Government
|
5.3.3 F |
Explain what an election
is. |
|
5.3.6 F |
Describe the voting
process. |
|
5.3.9 F |
Explain the election
process. |
|
5.3.12 F |
Evaluate the elements of
the election process. |
Essential question:
How does a Pennsylvania resident register and become eligible to vote in a federal election?
Background
Information:
Pennsylvania, where the U.S.
Constitution was written, was the second state admitted to the Union,
officially becoming a state in December 1787. The Keystone State has
participated in all 55 presidential elections through 2004. Although it has
voted Democratic in the last four elections, Pennsylvania is considered a swing
state with its 21 electoral votes.
To qualify to vote, a citizen
must (1) be a citizen of the United States, (2) be a resident of the state in
which he/she is planning to register, and (3) be at least 18-years-old at the
time of the next election. In addition, most states have the following two
requirements: (1) not be imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony
and (2) not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
Voter registration forms can
be found online, completed and submitted to a County Board of Elections office.
When completing a voter registration form, a citizen will need prior knowledge
of and be able to determine his/her party affiliation: Democratic, Republican,
Libertarian, Green, or Constitution.
To cast a vote for a
presidential candidate in the federal election on November 4, a citizen must be
registered 30 days prior to the election or in 2008 by October 6.
Resources:
Presidential Voting History www.270towin.com/states/Pennsylvania
Voting FAQ www.declareyourself.com
Adapted for NIE by Dr. Ann
Marie Steele, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc., Lancaster, PA
Activating Thinking Strategies:
Who would you vote for in the federal election? Elicit students’ ideas and write/key them on the board.
Teaching Strategies:
Students locate newspaper articles about the presidential candidates. From these articles, teacher revisits the election process and assists students in identifying campaign issues of the main political parties.
Extending/Refining Activity:
Students determine their party affiliation and then compare and contrast their personal decisions with classmates.
Summarizing Strategies:
Students register and cast their vote in a mock election. (see next page)
Assessment:
Using a graphic organizer, students select a newspaper article and record the results of the 2008 federal election. Students meet with teacher to asses their mastery of the election process and compare results.
MOCK
STUDENT REGISTRATION & VOTING FORM
Directions: Using the scantron form provided, please complete the following information using a #2 pencil. If you have a question, please raise your hand and ask your teacher.
I. Grade Level: Using lines 1-3, select your grade level by filling in ‘circle A’ next to the number that indicates your grade level:
1. Elementary
2. Middle
3. High School
II. Register to Vote: Using lines 4-8, register for one (1) party affiliation by filling in ‘circle A’ next to the number that indicates your party:
4. Republican
5. Democrat
6. Libertarian
7. Green
8. Other
III. Vote: Using lines 9-10, vote for one (1) presidential candidate by filling in ‘circle A’ next to the number that indicates that candidate:
9. Republican - John McCain
10. Democrat - Barack Obama
11. Libertarian – Bob Barr
12. Green – Cynthia McKinney
13. Other -
IV. Questions: Using lines 11-18, answer
the following questions by filling in ‘circle A’ next to the number that best
represents your response:
a. What media influenced your vote the most?
14. Internet
15. Newspaper
16. Radio
17. Television
b. Who influenced your vote the most?
18. Classmates
19. Parents
20. Teachers
21. Others
Thank
you for your vote! Look for election results in your local newspaper.