Candidate Evaluation Print All Related Standards

Description

In this lesson, students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process is also discussed.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • establish, explain and apply criteria useful in selecting political leaders.
  • evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, experience, speeches and advertisements.
  • examine candidates’ promises and how they align with the offices they seek and their voting records.
  • evaluate information and arguments from various sources.
  • identify stands taken by candidates on issues.

Lesson Prep

PRINT
all student and teacher materials.
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Step by Step

DISTRIBUTE brainstorming half-sheet to students. Have them check off all the things they think are helpful when making a decision about a candidate. Discuss students’ results.

DISCUSS the steps to evaluating a candidate with the transparency. You may call on students to provide examples, or opportunities to complete these steps.

READ through Step One and allow the students to list issues and qualifications. Share and discuss as a class.

READ Step Two, assign the students to select their top three sources and share.

READ Steps Three through Five with the students, stopping to answer or ask questions along the way.

INTRODUCE the first page of the activity sheet and read through each candidate’s messages.

SELECT students to read the radio announcements of the candidates aloud.

ASSIGN the second activity to the students to complete.

REVIEW students’ answers to the candidate comparison.

ASSIGN the review sheets to the students.

Recommended Sequence

Before: 
Cast Your Vote
The Electoral Process
After: 
Mock Election

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