The Gr8 Election - Framework U.S. History, Grade 8 Pin Oak Middle School Name House History Teacher Keep this framework in your Social Studies Binder/Folder and bring it to class when directed. EQ: How do elections work in the US and in what roles and responsibilities can I take part? Goal: Pin Oak Eighth Grade students will acquire knowledge of the election process and how they can become active participants. This fall, all POMS 8th graders will participate in an election simulation unit. Our election will run somewhat concurrently with the U.S. General Election for president in November. The simulation will have stages during which students will register to vote as citizens of the Republic of POMS, join and shape political parties and their platforms, nominate presidential candidates, and whittle the field down to three party representatives who will compete for student votes in a grade-wide election. During these stages, all student are eligible and encouraged to play a variety of roles. All students will be reflective of the process and complete a series of writing assignments (classwork grades) detailing their participation and opinions about the campaigning. These assignments will be compiled into a graded portfolio. Following the simulation, the unit will culminate in an individual project (major grade) that demonstrates student understanding of how elections work in the US and in what roles and responsibilities citizens can take part. While the actual US General Election and the POMS Gr8 Election will have some similarities, such as political parties, primaries, election staffs, and campaigning, there will be notable differences. First, there will be 3 major political parties fielding candidates. POMS political parties are school-issue based, and have no affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican Parties. Second, personal attacks and name calling will not be tolerated. Third, no real currency is allowed - only Charger $. Lastly, unlike the US president, the POMS president s role will largely be symbolic. However, the president will have the honor of representing the student body as a speaker at the Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony. Lastly, keep in mind that all student activity related to the election is under the oversight of the POMS Election Commission (History Teachers and administrators) whose duty it is to safeguard the election and, more importantly, the learning experience. Just remember that the purpose of this Unit is to simulate an election; it is the journey that counts, not the destination. Stage I - Parties and Platforms: What are the issues that will guide the election? All 8th grade POMS students will legitimize their citizenship in the Republic of POMS by completing a voter registration card, and dropping them off in mail boxes at student voting centers (classrooms). Students will practice voting at the local level (town meeting) by naming their state (class). The Commission will supervise the class name specifications. History classes will conduct Socratic seminars to debate the issues, including dress code, discipline, cafeteria food/services, homework, extra-curricular activities, grading policy, and the schedule. Students will then complete a survey, which will allow them to think about and decide their stance on a number of critical student issues at school. Their stance on the issues will dictate with which party they will be affiliated. 1
Prompt I - What are the issues that will guide the election? 1) Based on your opinions regarding school issues, what POMS political party are you best associated with? 2) After looking over the platforms, were you surprised with these results? Why or why not? 3) What are two of the top platforms of the political party that you relate to and why? Stage II - Sizing Up the Field: Why and how does a candidate run for a leadership role? Students interested in running will submit an application and cover letter (see your teachers) explaining why they will make a good representative for their political party (think about the issues) and of the citizens of the Republic of POMS. It will need to be approved by the house principals and all 7th and 8th grade core teachers. All students will be randomly assigned a number of ticket Charger $ to be used for financing and fundraising purposes during the campaign and election. Approved candidates will need to fill out and maintain and campaign finance log of all donations. Prompt II - see above for candidates. For all other students - Why and how does a candidate decide to run for a leadership role? 1) What school issues are important to you as a citizen of POMS? 2) What are the pros and cons of discussing the issues in a Socratic seminar setting? 3) How might such meetings look when held by interested members of a community? Stage III - Campaigning for the Primaries: What are the first steps candidates must take to win the opportunity to run for president of their party? Candidates will begin campaigning, and using funds collected from student donors and fundraising, can purchase stamped paper 8.5x11 that can be hung up in designated public areas. Students can also set up websites that must be public and accessible to all (including the Commission). Students may also finance campaign-focused shout-outs on the Big Screens in the hallway. The price will depend on the demand. During this stage, the school newspaper (Mrs. Tomlinson s elective, the Pin Oak Press) will continue to publish news about the election, candidate speeches, opinion pieces about the primaries and stories about the results. All classes will be required to read these pieces in class and think about them when writing their prompts. Students will vote over several days, with 3-4 classes voting each day, similar to the process followed in the IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, and SOUTH CAROLINA primaries and caucuses. These will be open primaries and students will be allowed to vote for candidates in any party. Some states in the US split their delegates; classes will need to vote on whether delegates are winner takes all. Prompt III - What factors affected the results of the primaries? 1) What qualities make a good leader? (3-4) 2) Why are these qualities important for leaders? 3) Based on the issues debated in the seminars, how, in your opinion should the President of POMS address those issues? Stage IV - Nominating Conventions: How does the party officially nominate the president? Each party be expected to hold their Nominating Convention. The top finishers will need to prepare acceptance speeches outlining their plans to win in the general election. After counting the delegates (which will be 2
revealed at the conventions) the winner will be announced. Candidates will need to justify their choice in a letter to the editors in the Pin Oak Press. Party candidates will need to assemble their staffs to help them get elected. Staff members will have specific duties under the candidate. These job descriptions will be found on the History Blogs. Candidates will submit staff lists (including Vice Presidential Candidates) to the Election Commission by Friday November 11. See the list of Staff position and responsibilities later in this handout. At this point, candidates will begin to reshape their platforms and focus their message. Losing candidates will write concession speeches and should be strongly considered for staff positions. Party and independent (Pin Oak Press) pollsters will be needed (jobs!) to collect data about student opinions of the candidates. Prompt IV - How does the party officially nominate the president? 1) What factors affected the results of the primaries? Describe how each affected the outcome of the campaign and the voting. Stage V - The Campaign and General Election How will the 3 candidates modify their campaigns to attract new voters and sway supporters of those who are no longer in the race? Candidates and their support staff will work to collect Charger $ for bigger posters, and time on the announcements, or on the Big Screens in the hallway. All students will be expected to read and discuss the Pin Oak Press coverage with their history classes. Candidates and their staffs must negotiate with the Election Commission to schedule debates, so that voters can hear about candidate plans for the presidency. In the days leading up to the vote, classes will engage in a lesson about how the Electoral College functions. The election will take place on Friday December 2nd. As in the United States, classrooms (state) will be worth different numbers of electoral votes based on population (see chart below). The Electoral College Results should be available by the end of the day. In the event of a tie, the Supreme Court (9 Social Studies Teachers at POMS) will decide the election. Electoral Votes per US History Class # of Students (class population) Electoral Votes under 18 3 votes 19-28 4 votes 29+ 5 votes Prompt V How will the 3 candidates modify their campaigns to attract new voters and sway supporters of those who are no longer in the race? 1) Which candidate do you think best represents your party? 2) What qualities do you support in this candidate and why? 3) What makes this candidate best for POMS (based on the issues)? 3
Stage VI Election Reflection and the Project How do elections work in the US and in what roles and responsibilities can I take part? The Gr8 Election Project (Major Grade) Students will create a project (display, website, position paper, performance) that shows the history of the election. Using their reflection pieces (prompts) and quotes from the Pin Oak Press as supporting evidence, students will describe: their role(s) their party s platform testimonials of at least two campaign staff members about the experience the highlights of each stage of the election a conclusion - How can citizens actively participate in elections in their communities and nations? a letter to the future emphasizing lessons learned and how they can applied when legally voting in actual elections. Prompt VI - How do elections work in the US and in what roles and responsibilities can I take part? 1) How did your role evolve during the election? If it did not, explain why. 2) What are the possible implications of this in a real republic (in the real world )? 3) What frustrated you about the election? What excited you? 4) If you were on the Election Commission, what would you have done differently to fix the errors in the simulation? 5) What are some solutions to problems with any election? Some important reminders Yes 1. All students must participate. 2. Students running for office must have the permission of the House Principal and seventh grade core teachers. 3. Students must keep a portfolio of their participation to be kept in class. Portfolio should include pictures or copies of the work such campaign posters, writings, vote soliciting, and prompts. 4. Candidates must keep accurate financial account records on Charger $ spent. 5. Students must document donations to candidates in their journal. 6. Presidential candidates must select vice presidential candidates from another house. 7. Have parents sign form that students have encouraged them to register to vote and to vote in the General Election on November 8th. No 1. The Gr8 Election cannot interfere with the POMS learning environment, including other classes. 2. No personal attacks, bullying, or name calling. Campaigns and slogans must be based on the issues, and not the candidates. 3. Negativity in the party platforms will not be tolerated. 4. No bribe, special favors, or gimmee items. Student can only legitimately acquire campaign items using Charger $. 5. No outside materials. The Election Commission will provide materials to keep the campaign fair. 6. No real money is allowed. You must use Charger $. No private funds. Accounting records must be maintained by candidates and their staffs. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification from the election or impeachment upon taking office. 7. Inappropriate behavior or abuse of the election process by a candidate or staff members can jeopardize that candidate s future in the election. 4
Grading Rubric For Writing Prompts A. Grammar /Punctuation of reflection with a proper format complete sentences, correct spellings, paragraph indentions, full heading, etc. B. Addressing All Aspects of the Prompt using Personal Opinions/Reflection Personal thoughts about political stances, opinions about issues, etc. C. Addressing All Aspects of the Prompt using Personal Documentation as Evidence Citing a debate, analyzing a poster, reflection to a newspaper article, etc. TOTAL Possible Points 25 points 50 points 25 points 100 points Gr8 Election Staff and Positions Presidential Candidates: Student will complete the forms for running for office and have them signed by the appropriate House Principal and their 7th grade core teachers (with prior notice!). Must accept one of the platforms May add one non-contradictory issue to the platform Vice-Presidential Candidates: Appointed, and must be from a different house than their running-mate Assist presidential candidate in decision-making during the campaign Represents and promotes the party Takes office if the president is unable/unfit for duty Campaign Manager: Recruits people who will be working in the campaign Works with financial manager and Media and Publicity Manager Oversees all jobs or delegates responsibilities o Sets up speaking engagements o Writes and reviews speeches o Approves slogans o Approves song o Approves campaign posters Campaign Financial Manager: Approves all expenditures Determines how acquire contributions from students and others Keeps careful records of all income and expenditures ( Charger $ ) Media and Publicity Manager: Organizes with approval of Campaign Manager all television and announcement ads Develops ads Develops television commercials Develops campaign poster 5
Publicity assistants Works with publicity manager to generate publicity posters, ads, media, slogan Convention Chair: (Three, one for each convention) Assistant Convention Chair Organize the nominating convention Find speakers Entertainment Registration of voters two, one register females, one register boys: Two in each class. Responsible for registering voters in class and checking registration cards to assure the information is correct & the individual is eligible to vote Voter Solicitors: Work with campaign manager, media and publicity manager to convince people to vote for your candidate. Keep a list of those who promise to support your candidate, make sure that person gets to polls to vote Financial solicitors: Works with financial manager to convince people to contribute their Charger $ to your candidate Slogan writers: Write catchy, clever, appropriate slogans for candidate Music Song for candidate: Find or write an appropriate song that reflects the platform and the candidate Publicity assistants: Works with publicity manager to generate publicity posters, ads, media, slogan Opposing campaign watchers: Alert Election Commission to misrepresentation Attend rallies for opposition to learn what the opposition is saying Prepare information to refute arguments Election Commission Deputies one from each house Check financial records Recipient of information concerning campaign alerts 6
The Gr8 Election - Due Dates DUE DATES October 5 th /6 th October 17th/18th October 21 st WRITING PROMPTS and ASSIGNMENTS Stage I - Parties and Platforms: What are the issues that will guide the election? 1) Based on your opinions regarding school issues, what POMS political party are you best associated with? 2) After looking over the platforms, were you surprised with these results? Why or why not? 3) What are two of the top platforms of the political party that you relate to and why? Stage II - Sizing Up the Field: Why and how does a candidate decide to run for a leadership role? 1) What school issues are important to you as a citizen of POMS? 2) What are the pros and cons of discussing the issues in a Socratic seminar setting? 3) How might such meetings look when held by interested members of a community? Stage III - Campaigning for the Primaries What are the first steps candidates must take to win the opportunity to run for president of their party? If you are interested in running in the Gr8 Election, your assignment is the following: 1) Submit an application and cover letter explaining why you would make the best representative for your political party (hint: focus on the issues) and of the citizens of the Republic of POMS. a) In order to access this application and cover letter, please either talk to your teacher or download it from your cluster History Blog. 2) The LAST day to turn this in is on October 21 st. No late applications will be accepted 3) Your application will be approved by not only the house principals, but also by all 7 th and 8th grade teachers. If you are not running in the Gr8 Election, your prompt is the following: 1) What qualities make a good leader? (3-4) 2) Why are these qualities important for leaders? 3) Based on the issues debated in the seminars, how, in your opinion should the President of POMS address those issues? November 2nd/ 3rd November 4th November 11th November 18 th December 2 nd December 5 th / 6 th The Gr8 Election Primaries!!! Stage IV - Nominating Conventions: How does the party officially nominate the president? 1) What factors affected the results of the primaries? Describe how each affected the outcome of the campaign and the voting. Candidates must submit staff lists to the Election Commission by the end of the day! The Gr8 Election Primaries!!! Stage V - The Campaign and General Election: How will the 3 candidates modify their campaigns to attract new voters and sway supporters of those who are no longer in the race? 1) Which candidate do you think best represents your party? 2) What qualities do you support in this candidate and why? 3) What makes this candidate best for POMS (based on the issues)? The Gr8 Election Day!!! Electoral College Results Announced! Stage VI Election Reflection and the Project How do elections work in the US and in what roles and responsibilities can I take part? 1) How did your role evolve during the election? If it did not, explain why. 2) What are the possible implications of this in a real republic (in the real world )? 3) What frustrated you about the election? What excited you? 4) If you were on the Commission, what would you have done differently to fix the errors in the simulation? 5) What are some solutions to problems with any election? Final Projects are due the week of 12/12-12/16. See exam schedule. 7