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Objective(s)
Students will define party platform and platform plank.
Students will participate in a simulation of selected steps
in the presidential nomination process.
Students will demonstrate an awareness of six national political
issues by designing campaign materials, creating a campaign advertisement
storyboard, and writing and delivering campaign speeches.
Students will use the Internet to develop a list of current
national policy issues.
National Standards
Social Studies: (VI) Examine persistent issues involving the
rights, roles, and status of the individual in realtion to the
general welfare; describe the purpose of government and how its
powers are acquired, used, and justified.
Technology: Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance,
appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information
sources concerning real-world problems.
Summary
Students will participate in a presidential campaign simulation
by researching issues using the Internet, defining a party platform,
and running a campaign.
Technology and/or Materials Needed
- Computers with Internet access
- Signed AUPs (Authorized User Policies) for student Internet
use
- Poster paper, markers, etc. for campaign advertisements
- Optional: word processing and publishing software for campaign
advertisements and speeches
Implementation Time Frame
Approximately eight 45-minute class period
Activities
To introduce this unit on presidential campaigns, assign background
reading on political parties and elections from the newspaper,
textbook, or Internet. Next, describe the scope of the project
to the students: researching issues, design campaign advertisements,
and write campaign speeches.
Students should be grouped into teams of three. And, the teams
should be divided among the two political parties: the United
party and the National party.
Students will begin by conducting research using the Internet
and selected web sites, www.policy.com/issues.
Students will develop a list of issues to consider for inclusion
in their platforms.
After students have gathered their information, have them
write their platform planks as policy statements and goals. The
students should divide the issues among the team members and
write a "plank" for each issue. You may wish to provide
a format or template for this exercise. A sample format might
include the statement of the issue in the form of a question,
the candidate's answer to the question, a policy proposal, and
a plan for implementation of the policy.
Next, students will begin working on the campaign advertisements.
Show examples of campaign brochures, posters, bumper stickers,
and buttons. Review campaign propaganda and tips for effective
posters. A variety of materials and methods could be used to
produce the campaign literature.
Teams should also work on speeches to be made at the party's
convention. One member of each team should be chosen to read
the speech as the presidential hopeful. Other group members will
act as delegates. At each party convention, teams will make presentations.
After all presentations, you may wish to simulate the operation
of the electoral college to choose party candidates.
Assessment
Students will be assessed as a team for their final presentation.
Presentations can be assessed for research skills, content, and/or
presentation skills.
Resources and Related Links
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