So You Want to Run a Presidential Campaign...
A Web Quest for 3rd Grade Social Studies
Designed by
Katie Hickey Snyder
adapted from
Interact; The Presidential Election Process,
Grades 5-8
Have you
ever wondered what it takes to become President of the United States? No doubt
you've seen the ads on TV, you've listened to the endless news stories--now
it's your chance to go behind the scenes in a real (well, real to us!)
presidential campaign!
Imagine you
wake up tomorrow morning and your feet are touching the end of the bed.
Somehow, during the night, you have become a full grown adult! It gets even
stranger...you get out of bed and see a navy blue business suit hanging on your
door--you try it on and it's a perfect fit! On the lapel you notice an American
flag pin, as well as a round pin that begins with these words, "Vote
for..."
What's going
on here? Are you involved in shaping the next election for the President of the
United States? Although you find this an exciting idea, you can't help but
wonder, what does it take to get your candidate elected?
Will the
best man/woman become the next President of the United States?
It's up to
you!
The Big
Question is...Just what does it take to elect a President? What is the
Presidential Election Process?
The
Task
First- As a team, compile
research on your party's positions on the issue
Next- Put together the pieces
to present your candidate to the public. Your team will earn electoral college
votes for each part of the campaign they complete.
Last- It's the big day--The
Political Rally! Your candidate will present him/herself to the public with a
speech and the whole team will produce a television commercial. This will be
your final opportunity to earn electoral college votes. Electoral college votes
will be compiled and we will find out which group's candidate will be the next
President of the United States!