Lesson

Elections – Finalizing the Pieces Date Dec 7 2023

Title/Focus
30 minutes in morning,
Subject/Grade Time
Social 5/6 roughly 40 minutes in
Level Duration
afternoon

Affirmations: Slow down, you circulate not pace. Engage with the space. The table is not your restriction. Meet the needs of
all, create differentiations that can make learning enjoyable and accessible for those students.

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Competencies 5.2: Histories & Stories of Ways of Life in Canada: Students will demonstrate an
and GLOs understanding of the people and the stories of Canada and their ways of life over
time, and appreciate the diversity of Canada's heritage

5.3: Canada: Shaping an Identity: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the

events and factors that have changed the ways of life in Canada over time and
appreciate the impact of these changes on citizenship and identity

6.1: Citizens Participating in Decision Making: Students will demonstrate an

understanding and appreciation of the dynamic relationship between governments
and citizens as they engage in the democratic process.

6.2: Historical Models of Democracy: Ancient Athens & the Iroquois Confederacy:
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the democratic
principles exemplified by ancient Athens and the Iroquois Confederacy

SLO’s/Skills 5.3.1: appreciate how changes impact citizenship and identity.

- recognize how economic and political changes impact the ways of life of
citizens

6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governments interact and bring about
change within their local and national communities

- recognize and respect the democratic rights of all citizens in Canada

- value citizens' participation in a democratic society
- value the contributions of elected representatives in the democratic process

6.1.4: analyze the structure and functions of local governments in Alberta by

exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

- How are representatives chosen to form a local government (i.e., electoral

process)
- What are the responsibilities of local governments (i.e., bylaws, taxes,
services)
- How are local governments structured differently in rural and urban settings

6.1.6 - analyze how individuals, groups and associations within a community

impact decision making of local and provincial governments by exploring and
reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 1

 - How can individuals, groups and associations within a community participate in
the decision-making process regarding current events or issues (i.e., lobbying,
petitioning, organizing and attending local meetings and rallies, contacting
elected representatives)
- In what ways do elected officials demonstrate their accountability to the
electorate (e.g., respond to constituents, participate in local events, represent
and express in government meetings the concerns of constituents

6.2.1 - appreciate the relationship between the values of a society and the
model of government adopted within a society

6.2.2 - value the role of participation by citizens in diverse democratic

societies

6.2.4 - analyze the structure and functions of the Iroquois Confederacy by

exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

- How did the Six Nations use the consensus-building process?

- To what extent did the decision-making process within the Iroquois
Confederacy reflect democratic ideals of equity and fairness?

6.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision making and problem solving:

- propose and apply new ideas, strategies and options, supported with facts and
reasons, to contribute to decision making and problem solving
- consider multiple perspectives when dealing with issues, decision making and
problem solving
- collaborate with others to devise strategies for dealing with problems and
issues

6.S.5 - demonstrate skills of cooperation, conflict resolution and consensus

building

- demonstrate the skills of compromise to reach group consensus

- work collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal

6.S.6 - develop age-appropriate behaviour for social involvement as

responsible citizens contributing to their community, such as:

- demonstrate commitment to the well-being of their community by drawing

attention to situations of injustice where action is needed

6.S.8 - demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy

- express opinions and present perspectives and information in a variety of

forms such as oral or written presentations, speeches or debates
- express reasons for their ideas and opinions, in oral or written form
- use skills of informal debate to persuasively express differing viewpoints
regarding an issue
- respond appropriately to comments and questions, using language respectful
of human diversity
- listen to others to understand their perspectives

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 2

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Understand and build knowledge of how a democratic voting process works
2. Finish their slideshow and develop a speech that reflects who they are as a candidate
ASSESSMENTS (How I will know students have achieved the objective(s))
- Slideshow for their campaign
- Speeches

Prior to the Lesson MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

- Have finished or nearly finished slideshows Google Classroom for online instructions for slideshow
- Possibly started on a basic speech • Pens/markers
• Computers
• Google Slides
• Google docs for speech
PROCEDURE
Introduction Time
Instructions and Expectations
- This will take up the first little bit of the 30 minute block in the morning
- Make sure everyone has their chromebooks on and ready to go
- Explain that they have the instructions for the speech on google classroom so open that up if they so
desire
- The speech is meant to go side by side for their presentations, so it will use the same information.
HOWEVER. The speech can be used to add a little bit more your charm and personality. You can use
the slideshow as your talking points, but your speech can elaborate even more if you’d like to.
- SO. The speech needs to be complete sentences, as this IS a writing assignment. It’s almost like a
5-10 minutes
mini essay
- In a real campaign, a speech is a great way to see a person’s passion about their beliefs and goals.
- Simply, make sure that your speech explains your slides. It can easily be copy and pasted from the
slideshow, and that’s awesome! You’ll have all the information you need. But why not take it a little
farther? If all the stuff you took from your slides only fills maybe half a page, maybe add some more!
- Things you can include: why you feel you would be the right choice for the job or more on how you
feel your promises would be beneficial for the class.
- The goal OVERALL is to use this speech and slideshow to explain what you want to do and convince
everyone that you’re the best choice.
Body Time
Slideshows, Speeches, and other projects
- The rest of the morning block and the afternoon block can be spent working through what may
remain of the slideshow, and their speech. Make sure that they understand what is expected from
this speech. This is the opportunity to CONVINCE everyone that electing you is the best decision.
- Use this time effectively, because we will want to start doing our speeches on Monday, so we can be
ready to vote Tuesday.
- As they finish up their speeches, get them working on their art project or other work they may need 20 – 50
to complete. The art needs to be the priority after the speech. minutes
- If the speech is finished, make sure that it is submitted to the assignment so we can print them out
for you and check them all over, in case you’re missing something or need to make some changes.
- Keep in mind that with all of this work time, the speech SHOULD be well thought out and done well.
Don’t rush through and just get it out of the way. This is THE thing that makes or breaks your
election. Make it a good speech!
- If you have any questions or need any assistance with spelling, just ask and we can ask.
Closure Time

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 3

Wrap up
- Make sure that you give enough time at the end of each class to put everything away and get ready
for lunch or the end of the day.
- Computers are plugged in, materials are put away in the place they were grabbed from, no messes 3-5 minutes
are left, everything should be clean.
-

Sponge Activity/Activities

Reflections:

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe 4

 Campaign Slideshow
It is time to create a slideshow for your campaign! You have

already made posters for the school, and developed all the promises

for changes in the classroom. Now, you need to convince your voters

that you are the best choice for the job! Here’s what you need to do…

Slideshow Steps

1) Open Google Slides on a Chromebook, and share the document with your partner.

2) Title it “(Your name) Campaign Slideshow”

3) You will need to create 3-4 slides, which should resemble the following:

a) The first slide with your name and what you are running for. You MAY include a

catchy slogan as well, although it is not REQUIRED.

b) A slide explaining who you are. This could include your hobbies, some things

you like, and what made you run for the position. Don’t say “because my friend

said so”. Provide a positive reason for why you wanted to run.

c) A slide explaining what your promises are. What do you promise to add or

change to the classroom? Why do you think it will benefit the class? A promise is

a promise, and it must be fulfilled if you get elected. Don’t make a promise you

can’t keep!

The 4th slide is an OPTION. This slide can be used if you ran out of room for your promises or

your “all about you” slide. It can also be something else entirely. Maybe you want to add a

simple ‘Vote for Me on Voting Day!” at the end in bold letters. But it is also NOT required.
What you need to do/include

- A title for your slideshow, which includes the name of the person running

- A MAXIMUM of 3 slides, which will be:

1) A first slide with

- Candidate name

- What they are running for

- (Optional) a slogan or catchy phrase they may want in their campaign

2) A second slide with

- Hobbies

- Interests

- Favourite things about school/the class

- Why you are running for mayor/council

3) A third slide with

- What you wish to change or add to the class (aka your promises)

- Why you feel these changes would make the class a better place

4) An OPTIONAL 4th slide, that could be

- More room for information on other slides

- A message you wish to leave with your classmates

- Whatever else you may want to include.