Election time database

After using various methods of researching information, students will create a database and use it to answer questions about the current election. At the conclusion, students will create a poster or PowerPoint presentation of their findings.

A lesson plan for grade 5 Computer/Technology Skills, Information Skills, and Social Studies

By Lee Yahnker

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Learning outcomes

The teacher will direct a class discussion on the candidates for the current election. The class will suggest a list of facts to be researched on each candidate. Using various methods of research, students will find answers. Students will create a database and use it to answer questions. At the conclusion, students will create a poster or PowerPoint presentation of their findings.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3+ days

Materials/resources

• List of candidates for public office
• Newspapers, news magazines
• Optional: TV news
• Paper and pencil
• Database program
• Poster Board and/or PowerPoint

Technology resources

Computer with database software, Internet, PowerPoint (optional)

Pre-activities

1. Students will need to already know about the election process and which candidates are running for public office.
2. Students will need to know how to skim articles for specific information.

Activities

Day 1: Research Preparation

1. Make a list of candidates that you want students to research. They can be national, state, or local candidates. Assign students to groups.
2. Tell students that they will be researching two types of information about their candidates: demographic information and positions on issues. List these responses on the board or chart paper. Demographic information includes facts such as age, party, occupation, education, gender, ethnic background, etc. Issues to research are the candidates’ positions for or against specific issues in the election, such as increasing school funding, cutting taxes, etc.
3. Direct a class discussion on what students would like to learn about the candidates in terms of demographic information and positions. Ask students to rate the importance of each category of information in deciding for whom to vote.
4. Either have students list the information you want them to research on paper or the teacher (or student) could type the list and make copies for each group.

Day 2: Researching candidates

5. Have students use a variety of ways to search for information: Internet, newspapers, news magazines, TV news, etc. (This could be done as a homework assignment).

Day 3: Creating an election database

6. After students have completed research, as a class create an election database. Show students how to set up the database using the categories they researched as their fields. Databases can be created in Microsoft Excel.

Day 4: Finding Specific Information

7. Sort the candidates by last name.
8. Answer the following questions:
   • How many candidates are Republican?
   • How many candidates are Democrat?
   • Create other questions based on the criteria your students researched.
9. Work with one group so they can go first. Then they can assist other groups. Save work after each group finishes.
10. Final Product: Have each student select the 3-5 most important categories for choosing a candidate. Students will then create a poster or PowerPoint presentation comparing the candidates in these categories.

Assessment

Each group will be graded on 4 criteria:

1. Did students complete all the research correctly on their candidate?
2. Did each group successfully enter and save their data into a database?
3. Were students able to answer questions correctly?
4. Final Product: Are the important facts about the candidates clearly and accurately depicted?