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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Election time using a database

Students, working in groups, use various resources to answer prepared questions about the candidates. Students will enter their data into a prepared database. With teacher guidance, students will learn to use the database to find information.

A lesson plan for grade 3 Computer/Technology Skills and Social Studies

By Lee Yahnker

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Learning outcomes

After using various methods of researching information, students will learn that a database is an efficient way to store and recall information.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3+ days

Materials/resources

  • List of candidates for public office
  • Newspapers, news magazines
  • TV news (Optional)
  • Paper and pencil
  • Questionnaire (attachment #1)
  • Prepared database

Technology resources

Computer with database software. Internet (optional).

Pre-activities

  • Students will need to understand the difference between being elected to a position vs. appointed to a position.
  • Students will need a knowledge of the election process and which candidates are running for public office.
  • Students will need to know how to skim articles for specific information.

Activities

  1. Make a list of candidates that you want students to research. They can be national, state, or local candidates. Assign students to groups and give out Elections Worksheet. Assign students to groups based on their computer skills.
  2. Have students use a variety of ways to search for information: internet, newspapers, news magazines, TV news (homework assignment).
  3. After students have completed research, have them enter their data into the Elections Database. Model how to enter and save data. Have the most computer literate group go first; then they can assist other groups. Save work after each group finishes.
  4. Find Specific Information: (Teacher Directed)
    • Sort the candidates by Last Name
    • Go to Record
    • Choose Sort
    • Use the drop down box to choose your field: Last Name
    • Choose ascending or descending
    • Click OK

    These directions are only for those using a database created in Microsoft Works. Users of databases created on other software, would need to be familiar with their software.

  5. Answer the following questions:
    • How many candidates are Republican?
      • Go to Tools
      • Filter
      • Keep Filter 1 as the name or rename it
      • For Field Name, use the drop down box and choose Party.
      • Type In the compare to box: Republican.
    • How many candidates are Democrat?
      • Go to Tools
      • Filter
      • Keep Filter 1 as the name or rename it
      • For Field Name, use the drop down box and choose Party.
      • Type in the compare to box: Democrat.

Assessment

Each group will be graded on 2 criteria:

  • Were all questions answered correctly on the Elections Worksheet?
  • Did each group successfully insert and save their data into the prepared database?

Supplemental information

Comments

I have included a database created in Microsoft Works. If teachers have a different database program, they can create their own database using the following field names: First Name, Last Name, Place of Birth, Party, Office, Wife’s Name, # of Children.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 3

  • Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
    • Objective 3.02: Enter/edit data in a prepared spreadsheet to perform calculations and determine which graph best represents the data as a class/group. Strand - Spreadsheet

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will characterize qualities of good citizenship by identifying people who made a difference in the community and other social environments.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify and demonstrate characteristics of responsible citizenship and explain how citizen participation can impact changes within a community.
    • Objective 1.04: Explain the need for leaders in communities and describe their roles and responsibilities.