Election Unit

Instructions:

Students must complete a minimum of 100 points worth of activities by Friday, Nov. 2.

Grades for Respective Point Totals:

375 points = 100% A+ and 30 Dojo points (spread equally between quarter 1 and 2)

250 points = 99% A

175 points = 95% A

140 points = 90% A-

125 points = 85% B

115 points = 80% B-

105 points = 75% C

100 points = 70% C-

Students may choose from the activities below. Please note that students are not guaranteed the maximum point value by completing the activity. Level of completion, quality, and creativity will be considered when evaluating the point totals.

Any activity that begins with *** is required. (#s 1, 2, 4 are mandatory)

***1. Vocabulary Quiz on Edmodo on Friday 11.02 (20 points)

Study the vocab notecards below and prepare yourself to take the "Edmodo Election Vocabulary Quiz" on Friday 11.02

• You may create a 1 page note sheet for this vocab quiz. This will be the only notes you will be allowed to use on November 2nd.

***2. Create your own Political Cartoons (20 points) (this assignment is mandatory but you may want to complete other activities first) this assignment should be completed at home and turned in on 10.26

See the "Political Cartoon Page" for information and directions.

3. Understanding Political Cartoons (10 points)

• Using the in class presentation and information in the Election iBook - find and analyze a political cartoon discussing the election (use either your blog or Google Drive title your work "Analyzing Election Political Cartoon"
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

Need help finding a political cartoon?

• http://blog.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/
• http://www.politicalcartoons.com/Default.aspx

***4. Watch the video located on this site - "In Plain English: Explaining the Presidential Election" (10 points)

• On your blog or Google Drive - title your post "In Plain English: Explaining the Presidential Election" list at least 3 facts you learned from this video - also review the video for clarity and effectiveness in teaching about the presidential election.
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

5. Define "Political Parties" (10 points)

• Read the article "Political Parties"
• Answer the Edmodo Quiz Questions "Scholastic Political Parties"
• Bring your finished quiz to Mr. Hull to be graded

6. Investigating the Candidates (10 points)

• Read the Scholastic Article "What you need to know about the election?"
• Now read the Election iBook Chapter about the candidates
• On your blog or Google Drive - title your post "Investigating the Candidates" - list 3 facts you learned about each candidate AND the 3 facts you believe are most important about each candidate.
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

7. Investigate Personal Political Preferences (10 points) Complete this survey first

• Using blogger or Google Drive - title your post "Political Preferences Survey".
• Answer the following questions:
  1. Looking at the "Overall" tab, where did the survey place you? "Liberal Democrat", "Average Democrat", "Moderate Democrat", "Average Independent", "Moderate Republican", "Average Republican", "Conservative Republican", or "Tea Party Republican"? Were you surprised by where it placed you? Why or why not?
  2. Looking at the "On Economic Issues" tab, where did the survey place you? "Liberal Democrat", "Average Democrat", "Moderate Democrat", "Average Independent", "Moderate Republican", "Average Republican", "Conservative Republican", or "Tea Party Republican"? Were you surprised by where it placed you? Why or why not?
  3. Looking at the "On Social Issues" tab, where did the survey place you? "Liberal Democrat", "Average Democrat", "Moderate Democrat", "Average Independent", "Moderate Republican", "Average Republican", "Conservative Republican", or "Tea Party Republican"? Were you surprised by where it placed you? Why or why not?
  4. Compare yourself to other age groups by clicking on the "Age" link at the bottom of the screen. Which age group are you most similar to? Which age group are you least similar to? What do you think explains these similarities and differences?
  5. Compare yourself to other religious groups by clicking on the "Religion" link at the bottom of the screen. Which religious group are most similar to? Which religious group are you least similar to? What do you think explains these similarities and differences?
  6. Compare your political preferences to the two candidates for president by clicking on the "Candidate" link at the bottom of the page. Which presidential candidate do your views most agree with? Does this surprise you? Why or why not? Do you think you will vote for that candidate on election day? Why or why not?
  7. Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

8. Cross check your Political Preference by completing a 2nd quiz (10 points)

• http://www.people-press.org/political-party-quiz/
• http://www.usatoday.com/interactives/news/politics/candidate-match-game/
• http://www.isidewith.com/
• Create a blog post or Google Drive - title the post "Cross checking political preferences" -
• With which presidential candidate did the two quizzes say you were in the most agreement with?
• Did the quizzes provide the same or different candidates?
• Was the candidate choice the site provided a surprise to you? Why or why not?
• What did you learn about yourself by taking the quiz and analyzing your results? Be sure to include specific details in your response
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

9. "Edmodo Pre-Test Quiz" (10 points)

• Bring your finished quiz to Mr. Hull to be graded

10. "Edmodo Candidate Quiz" (10 points)

• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

11. "Edmodo Knowing the Issues Quiz" (10 points)

• You may use these link to help with this quiz - Time for Kids "Understanding the Issues"
  • The Economy
  • Taxes
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • National Defense
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

12. "Edmodo Understanding the Electoral College Quiz" (10 points)

• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

13. "Edmodo Voting 101 Quiz"

• Use the Jr. Scholastic Resources and the iBook as you answer the questions
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

14. "Edmodo The President's Many Hats"

• Use the Jr. Scholastic Resources and the iBook as you answer the questions
• Bring your finished quiz to Mr. Hull to be graded

15. Pick an issue from the list below and read where the two candidates stand. Then blog or use Google Drive about what you learned by following the directions below (10 points)

• The Economy
• Taxes
• Education
• Health Care
• National Defense
  • The title of you post should be, "I agree with candidate ___ (name the candidate with whom you agree) on ___ (state the issue you chose to research)
  • Describe two reasons you agree with the candidate in this particular issue. Be sure to include information from the reading passage to support your answer.
  • Describe two reasons you disagree with the other candidate on this particular issue. Be sure to include information from the reading passage to support your answer.
  • Write a summary/conclusion about the issue that includes your opinion about how important this candidate's position on this issue is for the future of our country. In other words, why does the position of the candidate you agree with matter? Be sure to support your opinion with information from the reading passage.
  • Bring your published post to Mr. Hull to be graded.

16. YouTube Politics Channel (5 points)

• Find a video from the channel above
• Use the video title as your blog or Google Blog post
• Summarize the video by answer the basic questions
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

17. Respond to Past Political Messages -

• Choose at least 2 past political campaign videos and in a blog or Google drive - title post "Response to Past Political Messages" answer the basic questions for each video
• “I Like Ike” is Dwight Eisenhower’s 1952 campaign ad.

• John F. Kennedy had a catchy jingle for his 1960 campaign ad.

• Lyndon Johnson’s “Daisy Girl” was only broadcast once on national TV before being pulled for its controversial nature.

• Ronald Reagan’s 1984 campaign focused on optimism in “It’s Morning in America.”

• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

18. Explore "Play the Election: State by State" (5 points)

• On your blog or Google Drive (title your work: "Play the Election: State by State")
• Provide the state you choose and the reasoning for your choice
• Highlight at least 3 things you learned during your exploration
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

19. Week in Rap Challenge Friday October 19th (in class) 5 points

• Material will be presented in class

20. The Electoral College: (10 points) The Electoral College: What is it?

1. Click on the link above to the official website of the U.S. Electoral College
2. Watch the video (if you have headphones) and then read through the other information on the webpage
3. Create a blog post or Google Drive post with the title, "What is the Electoral College?"
4. In your post write a 3-5 sentence summary of what you learned. Be sure to include specific information from the video or the webpage, but do not copy and paste anything in your answer.
5. Bring your published post to Mr. Hull to be graded.

21. Electoral College Assignment 2: (10 points) The Electoral College: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Click on the link above to the official website of the U.S. Electoral College
2. Choose one of the "frequently asked questions", click on the link, and read the answer
3. Create a blog post or Google Drive post with the title, "Electoral College Question: ___ (put the name of the question)
4. In your post write a 3-5 sentence summary including the following:
   1. What was your question?
   2. Why did you choose to research the answer to that question?
   3. Give a brief summary of the answer to your question. Do not copy and paste anything, but be sure to include information from the webpage in your answer.
   4. Bring your published post to Mr. Hull to be graded.

22. Electoral College Assignment 3: (10 points) The Electoral College Quiz

1. Take the (very) challenging quiz by clicking on the link above and then complete the steps below
2. Create a blog post or Google Drive post with the title, "Electoral College Quiz"
3. In your post write a 3-5 sentence paragraph including the following
   1. Your score on the quiz (be honest) :)
   2. Describe in detail what you learned by taking the quiz. Be sure to include specific facts/figures/details from the quiz in your answer, but do not copy and paste anything.
   3. Describe one fact that surprised you and why.
   4. Describe one fact (if there was one) that you already knew before taking this quiz.
   5. Bring your published post to Mr. Hull to be graded.

23. Investigating the 2012 Presidential Election iBook

• Read a chapter from the iBook (see your iBooks library). You may do this assignment for any new chapter - each chapter is 10 points.

iBooks Assignment:

(10 points) Chapter Summary in the Words of a 7th Grader

1. After reading a chapter from the iBook create a blog post with the title "iBooks ___ (include the title of the chapter you read) Summary
2. Summarize the main points of the chapter in 7th grade friendly words. Consider the following while writing your summary.
   1. What main points was the author trying to get across?
   2. What of those main points are most important for 7th graders to understand and why?
   3. What analogies or comparisons to the main point(s) can you make that would make what you learned make more sense to the average 7th grader?
   4. What drawing, diagram, or chart would you draw about a main point that would help the main points make more sense to a 6th grader?
   5. What reading comprehension question would you have a 7th grader answer after having read the chapter? Please tie it to one of the main points and not some random fact.

Bonus: Debate (Requires a partner) (10 points plus 5 Dojo Points)

• Two students need to want to work together for this activity
• Choose a topic from one of the important issues.
• Independently
  • Write an opening statement describing your stance.
  • Prepare 3 facts that support your opinion.
  • Predict a possible argument or two your opponent will make - and counter arguments to each concept.
  • Write a brief conclusion
• With your partner film your debate using one of your iPads or ask Mr. Hull to allow the debate to occur during class
• Use blog or Google Drive to answer the questions below - title your post "Classroom Debate between _____ and _____"
  • Write a 3-5 sentence summary paragraph of what you learned about the candidates during the debate. Be sure to include specifics from the debate in your summary.
  • Write a 2-3 sentence paragraph that declares a "winner" of the debate. Include facts from the debate that support your answer.
  • Write a 1-2 sentence conclusion stating whether the outcome of this debate will influence who you vote for on November 2. Be sure to include facts from the debate in your conclusion.
• Bring your finished post to Mr. Hull to be graded

Bonus: Study these vocab words and take the "Double Secret Vocab List" Edmodo Quiz (10 points plus 3 Dojo points)

• Bring your finished quiz to Mr. Hull to be graded

Bonus: Registered Voter Interview (10 points plus 3 Dojo Points)

1. Interview someone you know (parent, guardian, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) who is a registered voter. Your interview should include the following:
   1. Questions: ask the interviewee 4 questions that you created based on information you learned about the process of electing the President of the US from this unit. For instance, you could ask a question like, "How many electoral college votes must a candidate receive in order to be elected president?" Then, record their answers.
   2. Format:
      • if you have a smartphone or other video recording device, you may video tape the interview and email it to Mr. H (if it is short enough) or bring in your device to show to Mr. H.
      • Or, you could record the audio of the interview on an app like AudioMemos and email the interview to Mr. H. (make sure your name and class period are in the subject box). Please do not reveal any personal info (i.e. full names) on the interview as these may be posted on this web page.
      • Or, you could type your questions and their answers and send them in an email to Mr. H (make sure your name and class period are in the subject box)
      • Or, you could handwrite your questions and their answers and bring them in to Mr. Hull for credit

Bonus: Watch the debate on TV on Monday, 10/22 at 8:00 PM (10 points plus 5 Dojo Points) and then complete the steps below:

• Take notes while watching the debate to make the rest of the assignment easier.
• After the debate is over, create a blog post or Google Drive with the title, "Presidential Debate: Foreign Policy"
• Write a 3-5 sentence summary paragraph of what you learned about the candidates during the debate.
• Be sure to include specifics (quotes) from the debate in your summary.
• Write a 2-3 sentence paragraph that declares a "winner" of the debate.
• Include facts from the debate that support your answer.
• Write a 1-2 sentence conclusion stating whether the outcome of this debate will influence who you vote for on November 2.
• Be sure to include facts from the debate in your conclusion.
• Bring your published post to Mr. Hull to be graded.

Bonus: (potential10 points plus 10 Dojo Points) Predict the Election Perfectly

• See Mr. Hull and how to use the App 270 to Win

Ben's Guide to the Election Process

Stop Do Not Continue beyond this point without the permission of Mr. Hull

Debate Opportunity

Political Messages - Create a Video expressing the point of view of one of the candidates on an important issue.