Structure of Our Government, The

Social Studies Review, Fall 2004 by Porter, Priscilla H

* a student of Grade _____

* resident of room _____ for at least one month

* at least _____ years old

Brainstorm a list of qualities of a good leader. Check your report card for qualities that might be included. These may include:

* honest

* smart

* hardworking

* responsible

* follows classroom rules

Review the duties of the President of the United States. Create a list of duties for your Class President.

Nominations: To simulate a primary election, explain that any student who meets the qualifications may run for Class President. Ask who would like to be a candidate. Type up a ballot with all interested names and have the students vote. Select the top three to be the final candidates.

The Campaign: Candidates may select a campaign manager and make posters urging students to vote for him or her. Each of the three presidential candidates prepares a campaign speech telling why he/she wants the job, what his/her qualifications are, and why he/she will make a good class president. If desired, provide sentence frames to assist with speech preparation:

* My name is __________

* I am running for Class President.

* I think I will make a good Class President because...

Discuss the qualities of a good campaign speech.

* speak clearly at an understandable pace

* maintain a clear focus

* be convincing

For additional criteria, refer to the appropriate grade level of the Reading/Language Arts Standards for speaking strategies and speaking applications.

Explain to the students who will be voting that they should listen to the speeches to make a decision about which candidate to vote for.

Election: Conduct an election for the Class President. If possible, provide an area in the classroom with voting booths (study carrels). In advance, prepare a ballot listing the full name of each candidate. Discuss how to accurately mark the ballot with an "X".

Students should register (sign-in) at the polling place. Designate a place for students to sign beside their name. Students then enter the voting booth and "secretly" vote for the candidate of their choice. If desired, provide students with stickers to show that they have voted. At the designated closing time, open the ballot box and have two students open and read the ballots. Have a third student record the votes on a tally sheet. Two poll watchersobserve to see that the votes are counted and recorded correctly. After the votes are counted, the recorder and watcher signs the sheet verifying the correct record of the vote.

Discuss questions about the election such as "Do you have to tell who you vote for or can you keep it a secret?" "Why might some persons want to tell and others keep it a secret?"

The Oath of Office: The President of the United States takes the following oath when inaugurated. Adapt the oath for your class president.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Inauguration: Plan an inauguration ceremony for the new Class President. Include a swearing in ceremony and an oath of office. If possible, accompany the swearing in ceremony with the music Hail to the Chief.