Lesson Plan
Chesterfield Elementary School, Chesterfield, MO
Overview
In this lesson, students use their knowledge of democratic
principles to create a fictional presidential candidate, run a
campaign for election, participate in a political convention and
presidential debate, and vote for president. Student voice and
choice is a ribbon that runs throughout the project - from creating
the fictional candidates to the final debate and election, the
outcome of the project lies in the hands of the students promoting a high level of interest and achievement of the learning
targets.
Lesson Objectives
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Grade Level:
4th grade
Estimated Time:
Approximately 3-4 weeks, 50 minutes
per day
Connections to Core Values:
Cooperation, Fairness, Respect,
Responsibility, Integrity, Caring,
Perseverance/Effort
Connections to CEP's Eleven
Principles:
Challenges and respects all learners
(Principle 6)
Use of student voice and choice in a project that is
meaningful and real-world applicable
Work cooperatively to foster respect, responsibility, and perseverance
Knowledge that the Constitution is the document that contains the laws and rules that govern our
country
Knowledge that the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
Knowledge of the three branches of government and their functions
Knowledge that democratic decision making allows society to function
Knowledge that laws are made, interpreted, and enforced by the local, state, and national government
Knowledge about what makes a good citizen
Materials Needed
Internet access, construction paper, markers
Procedures
Introduction:
Your mission is to create a presidential candidate for your political party and help him or her to become the
next President of the United States. This mission is not easy and there will be much sacrifice involved. You will
have to travel to the far reaches of the country. You will need to know all about our government. You will be
required to find the best person for the job. There will be a political party convention, primary, and a general
election after all of the campaign materials have been completed. The more persuasive and convincing your
candidate is, the greater his or her potential is for becoming elected! Who wants to be President?
Process:
Your campaign team will consist of four people. Each will have a job and all positions are necessary to fulfill the
project.
1. The Campaign Manager: This is the person who is most directly responsible for the success or failure of a
campaign. It is your job to ensure that everyone else does his or hers. If there are any problems, you need to
solve them. The political life of your candidate is at stake. Maybe even your appointment to a high level
cabinet position!
2. The Policy Writer: The political platform is the cornerstone of any great campaign. Your candidate must find
a happy medium between the platform of the party and what the American public is looking for in a candidate.
Character only goes so far. Where your candidate stands on the issues could attract people to your campaign,
or drive them away in herds.
3. The Speech Writer: Every candidate needs some eloquent person to compose his or her public addresses.
This is an important role in the campaign. If the candidate, your candidate, says the wrong thing at the wrong
time, the campaign may be over. Wouldn't you like to be the presidential speechwriter?
4. The Advertising Executive: Where would a candidate be without a great advertising campaign? It is
impossible for him or her to be in every town and city across the nation, but through an effective ad campaign,
he or she can be everywhere! Not only can a great campaign net you huge financial rewards, but give you that
national recognition that will put you at the top of the "Who's Who" of advertising!
As a group, you must:
• Invent a candidate. This person is fictitious, but should be real enough to actually have a shot at being
elected by the American people.
• Chose a political party. Please stick to the mainstream parties. There has never been a Socialist,
Independent, or a Communist resident. Be realistic!
So let's begin.
1. First, what does a President do anyway? Follow this link to find out what a President does. You should take
notes, because you might find helpful information of character traits or abilities to help you design the most
electable candidate. President for a Day
2. What else would be important to know about our government? Do you know how laws are made?
Brainstorm a list of questions you have about government and see how many of the answers you can find
here.
3. Now we need to be sure we understand the Branches of the U.S. Government. Create a "tree" diagram to
show the 3 branches of government and their jobs. Click here to go to websites that will help you complete the
Branches of Government.
4. Learn about the Constitution. Write 10 questions you could you to quiz your classmates based upon what
you learn at this site. When you finish, check out the Frequently Asked Questions about the Constitution.
Check out this If You Were President site.
5. Next we need to understand the Election Process. Make a poster to explain what you learn at this website:
Click here to go to the website.
6. Now it's time to create your candidate and get him or her elected. What will you need to accomplish? Click
here to find out the path to the White House.
7. As a group, you must:
• Invent a candidate. This person is fictitious, but should be real enough to actually have a shot at being
elected by the American people. You can check out some past candidates at this website: past
candidates
• Choose a party affiliation. You should choose either Democrat or Republican. A member of one of the
two major political parties in the United States chooses their party affiliation based upon positions and
principles, though Democrats or Republicans do not have to share any or all of them. Democrat: What
is the democratic vision? Republican: What is the Republican vision?
8. After the candidate is created and a political affiliation is established, the real task of starting a campaign
begins. Each member of your group has chosen a position in the candidate's campaign and will complete one
of the following segments of the project:
• Campaign Manager
• Policy Writer
• Speech Writer
Advertising Executive Campaign Manager:
• You will write a biography for your candidate. The biography should include:
• Who your candidate is. Where is he/she from?
• Where your candidate went to college. What did he/she study?
• What your candidate did after college. Did he/she work? What did he/she do?
• What your candidate has done to prepare him/herself for the awesome role as President of the United
States. Did he/she serve in congress? Was he/she a Governor or Mayor? What other political positions
has this person held?
• A statement about the candidate's family life. Is he/she married? Any children? Learn about Barrack
Obama and Mitt Romney.
Biographies of Past Presidents
You will need to coordinate your efforts with the other members of the campaign team. They may need to use
some of your information for their portion of the project. Please create a narrative biography in Word.
Remember to be creative and share your candidate's story.
Policy Writer:
You will write a political platform for your candidate. The platform will include your candidate's positions on
five key issues: Education, the Environment, Health Care, and two issues of your choice. You can find out how
recent candidates Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney stood on the major issues here. Your candidate must take
a stand on these issues. The American public does not approve of candidates that have no opinion! Your
platform does not always have to follow party guidelines, but it should not vary too greatly from it either. If
your candidate takes severe shifts from the party platform, it would be unlikely that he/she would gain the
nomination of their party. You will need to coordinate your efforts with the other members of the campaign
team. They may need to use some of your information for their portion of the project. Please create a
PowerPoint presentation of your party platform.
Speech Writer:
• You will compose a political speech for your candidate. The speech needs to include, but is not limited
to, the following:
• A brief introduction of who your candidate is for those that don't know him/her. This will need to be
coordinated with the Campaign Manager.
• A brief statement of what your candidate believes. This will need to be coordinated with the Policy
Writer.
• What plans your candidate has for the future. Are there any special projects your candidate is
interested in? Would your candidate do anything to help the United States get there?
• Closing remarks to sum up the speech.
DO NOT MAKE PROMISES THAT YOUR CANDIDATE CANNOT DELIVER! Do not promise to end taxes or to have
Fridays off from school. Do not promise to give every American a free car. There are many nonprofit
organizations that research the campaign promises of elected officials. Your candidate does not want to be
branded as a liar! If this happens, he/she will probably not be elected and you have just lost your hope of being
a presidential speech writer!
See sample speeches: (Use these only as reference tools! Your candidate has not yet been elected.)
• Past President from Missouri Harry S. Truman
• Barrack Obama's acceptance speech
• John McCain's acceptance speech, RNC, September 2008.
You will need to coordinate your efforts with the other members of the campaign team. They may need to use
some of your information for their portion of the project. Please use MovieMaker to present your speech.
Advertising Executive:
You will create an advertising campaign for your candidate. Your campaign must include the following
materials:
• One radio or television commercial.
• One print ad for either a billboard, a bus shelter, a magazine, or a newspaper.
• One poster to be placed in the front yard of political supporters.
• One button.
• One bumper sticker.
Here are some sample advertising items to give you ideas: campaign buttons, campaign memorabilia, and
political commercials. You will need to coordinate your efforts with the other members of the campaign team.
They may need to use some of your information for their portion of the project.
9. It's time for the election to begin! First you must be nominated at your Democratic National Convention or
Republican National Convention. If you win your nomination at your political convention, you will participate in
a Democrat/Republican debate in the general election. Then you will campaign for the Presidency to be
decided in America.
Conclusion:
Will your candidate become the nominee for your political party? Does your candidate have what it takes? The
road to the Presidential election is in your hands and your fate is in the hands of your classmates. If your
candidate becomes the next President, you can visit him or her in the white house.
Assessment
Students will write a 1 page reflection about their experience in the project. They need to include a description
of the election process and their contribution to the success of their group's work.
Extensions and Adaptations
These are imbedded in the lesson throughout the procedure.
Related Links and Resources
Character traits: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Character-Traits-List-for-Grades-3-5;
The election process: http://www.congressforkids.net/Elections_index.htm;
The path to the Whitehouse: http://pbskids
Character traits: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Character-Traits-List-for-Grades-3-5
President for a day: http://pbskids.org/democracy/be-president/
Ben's Guide to Government: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html
About the Constitution: http://www.usconstitution.net/constfaq.html
If you were President: http://www.scholastic.com/kids/president/game.htm
The election process http://www.congressforkids.net/Elections_index.htm
The path to the Whitehouse: http://pbskids.org/zoom/fromyou/elections/elections101.html#works
Past Presidential Candidates: http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/election-2012
Democrats: http://www.democrats.org/about/our_party republicans: http://whitehouse12.com/republicanparty-platform/
Sample Biographies: http://votesmart.org/elections
Presidential Candidates: http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/election-2012
Past Presidential Biographies: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident
Biographies of Past Presidents: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/
Harry S Truman's speech: http://www.trumanlibrary.org/educ/1948.htm
President Obama's 2012 Acceptance Speech:
http://global.christianpost.com/news/obama-presidential-acceptance-speech-2012-live-stream-where-toatch-online-84540/
Senator McCain's speech: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/04/john-mccain-republicanco_n_124061.html
Campaign buttons: http://www.campaignbuttons-etc.com/
Campaign memorabilia: http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/scriptorium/americavotes/
Political commercials: http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/scriptorium/americavotes/
Whitehouse for Kids: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/kids/
Credit
Lori Mathys, classroom teacher, Chesterfield Elementary, Rockwood School District