Length
30 minutes
Curriculum Standards
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.B
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
Vocabulary and Phrases
- Election
- President
- Vice president
- Candidate
- Campaign
- Motto
Materials
Instructions
- Begin with a brief discussion of the American government.
- Who is the leader of the government in the United States?
- What does the President of the United States do?
- What doesn't the President of the United States do?
- How does someone become President? Who is eligible for this position?
- Who is the Vice President? What does this person do?
- How are political leaders selected in students' countries of origin?
- Explain that Americans select their president through the process of election.
Election Activity
- Explain that, although it is not required, most people campaign before the election. Inform students that presidents and vice presidents campaign together in the U.S.
- What does it mean to campaign?
- What do we call someone who has entered into the presidential race but has not been elected? (A candidate)
- Ask students what sort of issues they think candidates campaign about. What would matter to the students as voters? Depending on the skill level of your class, you may have to introduce vocabulary terms like 'taxes,' 'healthcare,' etc. Write their ideas on the board.
- Divide students into pairs. Each pair is a team running for president and must put together a campaign. Write the following on the board, and ask each pair to copy it, discuss it, and fill in the blanks.
- Our presidential candidate is _____. Our vice presidential candidate is _____. Our campaign motto is _____. The main issues of our campaign are _____, _____, and _____. If elected, we promise to _____. Vote for Presidential Candidate's Name and Vice Presidential Candidate's Name!
- Once students have completed their forms, have each team present their campaign to the class.
- Ask everyone to close their eyes and vote on their favorite candidate. Tell students they may not vote for themselves. Announce the winner and proclaim them president and vice president of the classroom.
Extensions
- As an optional extension, you can select a single topic (taxes, immigration, etc.) and ask students to research it on their own time. The following class, you can hold a basic debate on this topic, explaining that public debates are also an important part of the electoral process.
