VOTING FOR PRESIDENT (pt.

2)
Socratic Seminar
FRIDAY

Standards: SS.4.C.2.3: Explain the importance of public service, volunteerism and voting.
SS.4.C.2.3: Analyze how the Constitution has expanded voting rights from out
nation’s early history to today.
SS.4.C.2.2: Identify ways citizens work together to influence government and
help solve community and state problems.
SS.4.C.3.1: Identify the different levels of Government (local, state, federal).
SS.4.C.3.6: Examine the foundations of the United States legal system by
recognizing the role of courts in interpreting law and settling conflicts.

Objectives: Students can identify the strengths and weaknesses of popular vote and the
electoral college.

Materials: Students can have their homework out with the research they found
Desks will be set up in a socratic seminar fashion ( opposing sides facing each
other)

Procedures:
● Begin the class by going over the Socractic Seminar rules which is as
followed:
Speak loudly
Speak respectfully (I understand where you are coming from
Jordan, however…), (Going off what Jordan said…)
No raising hands
Speak to each other not the teacher
Ask for clarification if needed (Jordan, can you please rephrase
your question or statement?)
Every person must speak at least 3 times

● Instruct to students to move their desks. It should look like a wide circle, it
should be 12 desks facing 12 desks.
● Give each student a small banner for their desk that either says “Electoral
College” or “Popular Vote” so all participants can identify who is on each
side.
● Since this a 5th grade class, this will most likely be their first socratic
seminar. As a teacher, you will ask some guiding questions to help the
flow of the seminar. The questions can be as followed:
 What are the strengths of your form of voting and how does it make
it stronger than the opposing side?
Should there be a change in the way America votes?

● Allow 45-60 minutes for this Socratic Seminar. When the seminar is over,
ask students to write a paragraph reflecting on the things said and identify
if they learned anything new.

Assessment: Make sure each student spoke 3 times and check their paragraph reflections.