Dianna Smith

EDUU 551

How to become the President of the United States

Blog or Wiki Address:
https://sites.google.com/mail.brandman.edu/diannasmithwebscavengerhunt?authuser=1
Subject Matter: Social Studies
Grade Level: 8th grade
Lesson Objective: Learners will demonstrate knowledge
of/understanding of/ability to: the constitutional requirements to
become a President of the United States and a brief overview of the
electoral process
Common Core State Standard and/or Academic Content
Standard:
8.3 Students understand the foundation of the American political
system and the
ways in which citizens participate in it.
6. Describe the basic law-making process and how the
Constitution provides numerous opportunities for citizens to
participate in the political process and to monitor and influence
government (e.g., function of elections, political parties, interest
groups).
Technology Standard: NETS for Students:

3. Research and information fluency - Students apply digital tools to

gather, evaluate, and use information.
Website Addresses Used as Resources:
1.https://kids.usa.gov/president/index.shtml
2.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/government/howthepresid
entiselected.htm
3.
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/uspresidents/presidentialelecti
on/
Student Research Questions:
Essential Question:
1. What are the constitutional requirements to become a presidential
candidate?
Subsidiary Questions:
2. What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?
3. What is a national convention?
4. What is an electoral college?
5. How many electoral votes are needed to win the election?
6. Does the physical size of the state correlate with the number of
electoral votes? Why or why not?
7. When does the presidential election take place?
8. When does the newly elected president usually take office?
9. What is the constitutional limit of terms for a president?
Assessment:
The internet was used as a primary resource for learning. Students are
given the chance to do their own research and acquire information
using the websites provided.
My assessment for this activity is as follows:
I will provide a blank visual map of the electoral process.
Each student identifies what occurs in each step. Some of the
information will be pre-filled so that the student has a cue on
each step.
For example, on Step 1, I will identify on the visual map that it is
the constitutional requirements for the presidential candidate

and leave 3 blanks. Student will now fill out those blanks to
provide the necessary information.
I think this assessment is very straightforward as it directly measures
the students knowledge and ability to grasp the concept. An example
of a presidential election map is provided on the first resource web link.
Criteria for assessment: correctly identify all missing information for
each step of the presidential electoral process.