Allison Speights 80440436 ECED 4359 Summer, 2013

Lesson Title: Voting

Grade: 1st Subject Area: Social Studies TEK:

1.14D: explain and practice voting as a way of making choices and decisions;
Learning Objective:

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of voting by conducting a class vote after a teacher-led lesson.
Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is for students to be able to understand how and why voting is used in the United States.

Anticipatory Set
Teacher can introduce students to the concept of

voting by starting a class discussion like this: I couldnt decide whether Free Time should be outside or inside today; what do you think? With likely mixed responses, the teacher can continue with: Lets take a vote! All in favor of going outside for Free Time, raise your hand! All in favor of going inside for Free Time, raise your hand!

Anticipatory Set (Continued)

If there is no majority, the teacher can conduct a secret,

written ballot and then divulge the results of the vote. The teacher will then reveal that todays Social Studies lesson will be about voting.
BLOOMS TAXONOMY Remember: This informal anticipatory set will allow students to recall any previous knowledge about voting that they may have. They will be able to recognize that they are able to voice their opinions through voting and that their vote counts. They will also be able to acknowledge that voting is used to make decisions and the majority rules when it comes to voting.

Input
The teacher will begin by introducing the Word Wall Vocabulary using

visuals and the students will add these words to their vocabulary journals. A PowerPoint presentation will be used as reinforcement to quiz the students as they are learning the new vocabulary. Word Wall Vocabulary ballot - a list of people trying to get elected campaign - when people act together to try to get a candidate elected to a job candidate - a person who is trying to get elected debate - a formal meeting where the candidates discuss and argue about the things that they think are important in our country democracy - a system of government whereby the people have the power to make decisions and they can elect representatives. election - when people choose the person they want to do the job political party - people who have similar interests, beliefs and goals about the things that are important to our country term - amount of time someone is elected for

Input
The teacher will then read the story Vote! by Eileen

Christelow to better introduce the concept of voting to the students, with emphasis on voting for public officials. The book will incorporate the vocabulary words in context which will help to reinforce the vocabulary.

Input (Continued)
A class discussion will follow, answering the following

questions:

Why do we vote? What kinds of things do we vote for? Who can vote?

BLOOMS TAXONOMY Understand: The story does an excellent job of explaining voting in more detail to children. Hearing the story, in addition to a related class discussion will help students to better understand the process of voting used for decision-making purposes. In addition, they will be able to better learn the vocabulary associated with voting.

Modeling
Two students will volunteer to read scripts from two

different imaginary potential candidates for Class President. The scripts will contain a list of changes that could take place in the school, pending their election. The teacher will use visual aids as the students read.

Austin

April

Hi my fellow First Graders! My name is Austin and if I am elected Class President I will implement: *pizza for lunch every Friday, *more recess, and *snack time during class!

Hello First Grade class of 2013! My name is April! You should elect me as your Class President! If elected, I will ensure: *no homework over the weekend, *extra art projects, and *better field trips!

Modeling (Continued)
The teacher will then lead a class discussion, reviewing

what the two potential candidates are offering. The purpose of the discussion is to emphasize that when electing somebody by voting, you should cast your vote based on the qualities and intentions of the candidate that represents your own views and opinions. BLOOMS TAXONOMY Understand: This real life example and discussion will give students an even deeper understanding of how voting is a way of making choices and decisions. They can relate the examples to their own lives which will make it more meaningful to them and this will enhance their understanding.

Check for Understanding

To check the students understanding at this point in

the lesson, the students will each design a small picture to indicate something new they have learned about voting. On the back of the picture will be a statement, describing briefly what they have learned. The students will each share their picture with the class and it will be used to decorate the Class Ballot Box.

 EXAMPLE
I learned what a ballot is.

BLOOMS TAXONOMY: UNDERSTAND: The teacher will be able to check if the students are understanding by evaluating what they have learned so far in the lesson with this quick activity. If there are any misunderstandings, the teacher can address and correct these at this point in the lesson.

Guided Practice
Now the students will actually practice what they have

learned about to vote for one of the two candidates for Class President! The teacher will provide a ballot and review what each of the candidates wants to do for the students. The students will then quietly vote for Class President and place their vote in the Class Ballot Box.

Guided Practice (Continued)

A student will count the votes and another student

will recount the votes, revealing the Class President. Class President Ballot
BLOOMS TAXONOMY APPLY: The students will enjoy being able to put voting to practice through this experience where they have the opportunity to practice for fast learning!
Austin April

Closure
In pairs, the students will now analyze why we vote;

they will complete a short graphic organizer, providing 3 reasons people vote.
BLOOMS TAXONOMY Analyze: The students are able to analyze the material that they have learned by collaborating with their peers to complete a graphic organizer.
To make changes

To get things we want

Why We Vote

To make decisions

Reinforcement
A small teacher-led class discussion will then follow

the closing activity for reinforcement. What could happen if we lived in a country where the people do not have the right to vote?
BLOOMS TAXONOMY Evaluate: This follow-up class discussion would

give the children an opportunity to evaluate the impact that voting has in our country using higher-order thinking.

Independent Practice
The students can then create a journal entry based on the

prompt: Imagine you are running for Class President! What kinds of things would you want to do or change? How would you get people to vote for you? BLOOMS TAXONOMY CREATE: A creative journal entry will allow the students to change perspectives and use what they have learned to compose their own thoughts and ideas. This will increase the level of thinking that they are using by changing the way that they are thinking.