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Lesson Plan
Title
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Polling Station
Audience
Grades 5 - 12
Overview
This project is designed to enhance students’ interest in the election process in British Columbia by bringing important dates in electoral history to life.
Objectives
- Students will gain a better understanding of what ‘suffrage’ and other vocabulary relating to the electoral process mean
- Students will gain an appreciation for the right to vote in the province
- Students will gain a better understanding of citizenship and its history in the province
- Students will improve presentation skills
- Students will learn to work in groups
Activities and Method
- For this project, a list of important advances and changes to B.C.’s electoral laws (1871-present) is provided for students to research and then bring to life through a variety of mediums.
- This project can be done as an entire class or in smaller groups.
- The groups then choose five dates of interest from the list provided and decide upon how to explain the importance of each date.
- Some examples of presentation methods include acting, videos, tableau/skit, mime walk, storyboard, news articles, raps, montage, propaganda poster, cartoon strips, photo story etc.
Preparation (by teacher and by students)
- Teachers need to make sure they have the relevant dates chosen in B.C.’s electoral history.
- Groups should be chosen based on similar learning styles.
- Vocabulary relating to the electoral system need to previewed.
Duration of Activity
This could be a month-long unit touching multiple learning styles or a single class lesson with follow-up activities based on the presentations.
Learning Outcomes
- It is expected that students will apply critical thinking skills – including questioning, summarizing, drawing conclusions, and defending – to a range of issues, situations and topics
- It is expected that students will demonstrate effective research skills, including:
- assessing information
- collecting data
- evaluating data
- organizing information
- presenting information
- It is expected that students will demonstrate communication skills using oral, graphic, written and visual skills
- It is expected that students will demonstrate skills and attitudes of active citizenship, such as ethical behaviour, open-mindedness, respect for diversity, and collaboration
- It is expected that students will describe B.C.’s electoral system and processes
- It is expected that students will describe the legal rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and organizations in Canadian society
- It is expected that students will apply skills of civic discourse and dispute resolution, including consensus building, negotiation, compromise and majority rule
Materials and Resources
- Elections BC: “Important Dates in BC Election History” www.elections.bc.ca
- Optional period costumes (mime/skit), poster board (storyboard, propaganda poster), video camera or digital camera (tableau, montage, video)
- Textbooks and other electoral resources
- Computer (slide show presentation)
- Photo story software (if applicable)
Evaluation of Activity
- Student created rubric
- Peer assessment using participation, presentation, and achievement criterion
- Self-evaluation included
- Follow-up written response referencing vocabulary learned
- Response journals regarding favourite dates in BC electoral history
Submitted By
Andrew Olson, Shawnigan Lake School, Shawnigan Lake
Tom Cikes, Willingdon Secondary School, School District #41 (Burnaby)
Susanna James, Magee Secondary School & Dave Thompson Secondary School, School District #39 (Vancouver)
Ross Lumb, Maple Lane Elementary School, School District # 38 (Richmond)
Chantel Parsons, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, School District #71 (Comox Valley)
Bradley Smith, Lake Trail Middle School, School District #71 (Comox Valley)
NOTE: The ideas and opinions expressed in this classroom activity belong to their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Public Education and Outreach office only edits for clarity.
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