Social Studies - 4th Grade
Standard 3 Objective 1
3 class periods of 45 minutes each
Small Groups
Students will understand the rights and responsibilities of voting in local, state, and national elections.
Essential questions:
Enduring understanding:
Students will be able to identify the roles of elected officials in Utah and explain the importance of voting as a citizen of our state.
Knowledge of the voting process in local, state, and national elections. Teachers need to understand the importance of the rights and responsibilities for citizens to vote.
Vocabulary: vote, election, debate, ballot, choice, candidate, issue, platform.
Student will understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens to vote in school, community, state, and national elections.
Day 1
Invitation to Learn: Inform the class that you have decided they will all dress in yellow and green tomorrow. Those who do not will be required to stay in at recess and write a paper explaining why they have not obeyed the new "law." Discuss the democratic process and the importance of having choices in our laws and government.
Day 2
Day 3
Special needs students may be paired with students who are willing and able to assist and direct if needed. If appropriate, they may be place in charge of running the election itself (handing out and collecting ballots, tallying votes, being the MC of the platform presentations etc.)
Accelerated students may wish to create a presentation to share with other students in the school concerning elections and the importance of the democratic process.
Invite an elected official such as a County Commissioner to present information to the class concerning the resources provided by the local, state, or national government. Contact Kids Voting USA for classroom activities concerning the voting process, responsibilities, and a mock election. See attachment.
Students will conduct a mock election. This election will include creating an issue to be voted upon, differing viewpoints, reasoning for each view, voting, counting votes and announcing the results. Teachers can use the Non- achievement Factors Rubric to score how well students are able to work together in groups, follow the rules and participate with the class.