2008 Election Issues

Title: 2008 Election Issues

Author: Sarah White

Grade Level: 9-12

Summary of Lesson: Students will research candidates' positions on various issues and design campaign ads.

Focus Question: What are the major party platforms in the 2008 presidential election?

Databases(s): Student Resource Center

Procedures:

Steps / Activities by Teacher

• Arrange for student access to Gale databases.
• Assign students to groups of 3 - 4, or allow them to choose.
• Create a list of election issues, plan for one topic per group. Assign each group one topic and one candidate, or allow students to choose randomly. Topics might include issues such as the environment, education, foreign policy (Iraq, Iran, Middle East), taxes, Social Security and healthcare.
• Allow class time for research, ad design and presentations.

Steps/Activities by student(s):

• In groups students will use the Gale Student Resource Center database to research the position of their candidate on their assigned issue. Students should take individual notes on their research. Teachers may want to remind students to look under the tabs for magazines, Academic Journals and Multimedia while locating information in the database.
• As a group students will design and write the script for a campaign ad the accurately communicates their candidates position on the assigned topic.
• Groups will present their ads to the class (they may do this live or they may use a program such as Moviemaker for taping and editing).
• Following the ad presentations, individual students will write a brief position paper explaining who they would vote for and why.

Outcome: Students will understand, analyze and evaluate issues central to the 2008 presidential election.

Related Activities: The class may further debate the issues presented or organize a class or school-wide election.

Standard Date: July, 2008

Content Standard(s):

• Locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate and apply information about selected public issues - identifying, describing and evaluating multiple points of view.
• Practice forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideals of citizens in a democratic republic.

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
  • Describe the candidates' positions on various issues.
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of these positions.
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
  • Analyze multiple issues and make an informed decision about which candidate they support and explain their choice using evidence.

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications.
• The student will use technology resources to improve problem solving and decision making skills and apply these skills to real world situations.

ISTE NETS for Students

• locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
• locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
• plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
• collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
• use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
• Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
• Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.