(10) Government. The student understands the purpose of rules and laws. The student is expected to:
(A) explain the need for rules and laws in the home, school, and community; and
(B) give examples of rules or laws that establish order, provide security, and manage conflict.
(11) Government. The student understands the role of authority figures and public officials. The student is expected to:
(A) identify leaders in the community, state, and nation;
(B) describe the roles of public officials including mayor, governor, and president; and
(C) identify the responsibilities of authority figures in the home, school, and community.
(12) Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historic figures and ordinary people. The student is expected to:
(A) identify characteristics of good citizenship such as a belief in justice, truth, equality, and responsibility for the common good;

 (C) identify ordinary people who exemplify good citizenship and exhibit a love of individualism and inventiveness.
(13) Citizenship. The student understands important customs, symbols, and celebrations that represent American beliefs and principles and contribute to our national identity. The student is expected to:

(C) use voting as a way of making choices and decisions

Objective 1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of issues and events in U.S. history

The students will explore the voting process, the benefits of elections, and the right and responsibility to vote.  During the exploration, the students will decide on two Presidential candidates to run for a mock Presidential election.  Students will then choose one of the candidates and design a campaign poster, present the poster and take turns video taping each others presentation which will be available school-wide.  Students will assist in running a school-wide mock Presidential election involing parents and citizens in the community.  After the election, students will compile the data and announce the results.

What do you know about the voting process?
Is voting a right or a responsibility?
Does everyone have the right to vote?
What are elections?
Why do we have elections?  
What are the benefits of elections?

Students will listen to the storybook "We Vote" by Cynthia Martin.  (This story is about how we vote to make choices.  The students will learn how people vote, what kinds of things they voting about, and why voting is so important to us all.)  Make an interactive list of vocabulary words from the story using journal writer.

Students will anazlyze the importance of good Citizenship with the use of a Kidspiration template.

Students will discuss ways people show good citizenship through the voting process.  Make an interactive KWL chart about the voting process using Kidspiration.

Students will discuss possible candidates for a mock Presidential election.  Choose two candidates to represent Presidential nominees on the voting ballot.

Students will use journal writer to compare/contrast the two Presidential nominees.

Students will view campaign posters from internet, postal service, Wilson County News and other newspapers and discuss the importance of using and displaying the information on their campaign poster.

Using the information from the chart made in journal writer, students will choose the candidate they think will make the best President and design a campaign poster for the candidate of their choice.

Students will video tape each other during their campaign poster presentation.  Video will be available on the primary school netsvr for other classes to view before the election.

Students will run a school-wide mock Presidential election involving parents and citizens from the community.

Students will help prepare the polling place with necessary forms and supplies.  See Project V.O.T.E in resources.

Students will conduct the mock election on the 1st Tuesday in March.

Students will use the data from the election results to determine the winner.  Results will be announced school-wide.

Knowledge:  Make a list of vocabulary words.
Comprehension:  Discuss ways people show good citizenship through the voting process.
Application:  Choose two candidates to represent Presidential nominees.
Analysis:  Analyze the importance of good Citizenship.
Analysis:  Compare/contrast the two Presidential candidates.
Synthesis:  Design a campaign poster for the candidate of their choice.
Evaluation:  Determine the winner.

Anchor Activities:  Listen the storybook "We Vote."
Adjusted Questions:  Difficulty of questions will be adjusted according to the ability level of the students.
Flexible Grouping:  Advanced students will assist others i group activities.
Personal Agendas:  Individual plans for campaign posters.
Graphic Organizers:  Kidspiration Citizenship template, Kidspiration KWL chart, Journal writer charts for vocabulary and comparing/contrasting, class rubric.

Kidspiration
Journal Writer
Projector
Internet
Digital Camera and microphone
Netsvr

Parent volunteers, citizens in the community, Principal Mr. Benny Villanueva, Wilson County News, Teachers,  "I Vote" Storybook,  "Election Day" video