Title of Unit: Red, White and YOU Title of Lesson: Majority Rules Submitted By: Garlick/Waite

A. Summary of the Lesson Plan: This lesson will teach students about how a democracy works regarding voting, majority rule and setting laws. This will be accomplished with discussions and an online activity about voting rights and issues. B. Target Population: Grade Level: 3rd grade Skill Level: all Grouping: Group-discussion, small group- brainstorm, individual- computer work C. Materials: paper pencil computers with access to http://pbskids.org/democracy/vote/ D. Objectives: o NV State Social Studies Standards o C13.3.2 Discuss democracy voting, majority rule and setting rules.

Student-Friendly Standards I can explain that a democracy consists of voting, majority rule and setting rules.

E. Procedure: 1. Discuss that students have probably heard your parents or their friends talk about voting. Perhaps they discussed particular candidates who were running for office or important issues that affected the way you live. Many people today think voting is the most important right Americans have. There are many places in the world where people do not have the right to vote. By voting, people can make sure that their opinion is shared with community leaders. If you are a citizen of the United States and eighteen or older, you have the right to vote in local, state and national elections. Voting may not be new to you, though if you have helped to choose officers for a club or school government, you have already exercised your right to vote! 2. Have students get into small groups of 3-4 and make a list of reasons that people would vote and what some of the issues are that people vote on. 3. Play Cast Your Vote at http://pbskids.org/democracy/vote/ Step inside the Voting Booth and print out your Futures Voter Card.

Nevada State College page 1

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

Title of Unit: Red, White and YOU Title of Lesson: Majority Rules Submitted By: Garlick/Waite

4. What type of government does the United States Have? Define and discuss what a democracy is. The word democracy literally means rule by the people. It is derived from a Greek word coined from the words demos (people) and kratos (rule). 5. CLOSURE: Review how our nation is a democracy. Write ideas on the board. Hang up student Future Voter Cards around the room then return back to seats. Assessment: What will you use to measure student understanding? Discuss democracy voting, majority rule and setting rules. The small group lists and the Future Voter Cards will be used to assess student understanding of how a democracy works with voting, majority rules and setting rules. Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson. I will know that the students understand how a democracy works by the lists that they create and their responses to the group discussions. F. Reflection: 1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach? I think that the easiest part will be explaining how people vote for what they want and the majority vote wins. 2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach? The most difficult part I think will be explaining why people do not take the opportunity to vote and why it is so important to vote. 3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson? By having a discussion on what it means to be patriotic. 4. What will you do for students who dont grasp the concepts? I will take the time to re-explain the concepts that they do not grasp one-onone. 5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change? If we do not have the ability to get on the internet I would have to change the Cast Your Vote activity. 6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part? The most difficult part of the lesson plan was writing the Lesson Plan Summary in 2 sentences.
Nevada State College page 2 EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Karen Powell- Instructor

Title of Unit: Red, White and YOU Title of Lesson: Majority Rules Submitted By: Garlick/Waite

Nevada State College page 3

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor