NTeQ+Student-Centered+Lesson

Peggy's NTeQ Lesson Plan **__Lesson Title__**: How Can I Become President? __**Subject Area**(s)__: Civics, Math, and Technology __Grade__: 7 **__Lesson Summary__:** Students will be heterogeneously ability grouped in pairs. The students will work collaboratively and cooperatively to determine through information gleaned from the internet the process of the electoral college. Students will answer questions and complete a graphic organizer to illustrate the electoral college process. With the use of an electronic worksheet, each pair of students will show all 50 states and the District of Columbia's electors and their elector percent. As a closing activity, the pair of students will prepare a presentation using Microsoft Office software depicting two scenarios in which they could become President and Vice President of the United States. **__Learning Objectives:__ ** By the end of this lesson, the student will:
 * Research the electoral college process.
 * Complete a graphic organizer illustrating the electoral college process.
 * Create an Microsoft Excel worksheet with states, electors, and percents to total electors and percents to number needed to win.
 * Use either Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (students' choice), to present two ways the students would become President and Vice President through the Electoral College.


 * __Standards__: **

 **National:**  1. Creativity and Innovation  a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.  b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression. 2. Communication and Collaboration <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> c. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Research and Information Fluency <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">c. Process data and report results

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">a. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">b. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Technology Operations and Concepts <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">a. Understand and use technology systems <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">b. Select and use applications effectively and productively

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Local**: **Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">CE.5f. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political process at the local, state, and national levels of government by describing the role of the Electoral College in the election of the President and Vice President. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7.1 The student will use problem solving, mathematical communication, mathematical reasoning, connections, and representations to represent a number in fraction, decimal, and percent. __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Materials: **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Laptop computer (1 for each pair of students) with internet access
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Printer
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Microsoft Office Software
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">External thumb drive to save work
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Think Sheet 1" with questions and U.S Map
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> "Sheet 2" to assist in Excel project
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Graphic Organizer

__**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer Functions and Data Manipulations: **__

**__S<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">pecify Problem: __** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Today you will be paired with another person in this class. The United States constitution has been amended, and there is no longer an age limit for running for President and Vice President of the United State, so now you and your partner have decided to run for these offices. To be victorious and to become the next President and Vice President of the United States, you will need to win more electors than your opponent. Each state in the United States and Washington, D.C. has electors. To win a state's electors, you must win the majority of the popular vote in that state. To determine the best strategy for certain victory, you will first need to Google search information on the Electoral College. After you have collected all the information necessary to assist in your campaign, you and your partner will complete an Excel worksheet to best determine what states you need to spend the most time and money. Finally, you and your partner will analyze, synthesize, evaluate and derive two possible Electoral College strategies to ensure your victories. Good Luck!!
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer Function ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer Application ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Data Manipulation ** ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Internet Search || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Google || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Research history and process of Electoral College ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Create || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Microsoft Excel || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">State's electors and percents ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Create || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Microsoft Excel, Word,or PowerPoint || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Two scenarios to become President ||

__**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Results Presentation: **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The results will be in three specific forms. First, the accurate completion of the "How the Electoral College Works" graphic organizer and United States Electoral College map. Next, will be fulfilling all the requirements of the Excel worksheet, namely the electors for each state, deriving a percent for each state's electors to the total number of electors and to the total number of electors needed to win. Finally, using a Microsoft Office software of the pair's choice, a presentation of two strategies to cinch their Presidential and Vice Presidential victories through the Electoral College. __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Multidimensional Activities: **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lesson Introduction: Lesson will be introduced by having a mock election of favorite dessert. Students will also be told of their upcoming campaigns.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer Activities: The computer activities include researching information guided by "Think Sheet 1." The data derived from the research will assist in the completion of the graphic organizer and United States Electoral College Map, and creating a Microsoft Excel worksheet (Think Sheet 2 is available to assist) and a brief presentation using one of the software options on Microsoft Office.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Supporting Activities: Researching additional information on the Electoral College, making calculations, assisting other students as needed, and practicing presentation.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Culminating Activity: A brief presentation on two strategies for the group to acquire at least 270 electors needed to win their election. __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lesson Introduction: **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The lesson will begin by having the students vote on their favorite dessert, ice cream or cake (these are the only two choices). The students will close their eyes and raise their hands for their preferred dessert choice. The teacher will count the number of votes with each student having one vote for either the ice cream or cake and write it on the board. Then each students will be assign a number starting with the number one. These numbers will become the number of votes each student has. Now ask the students again to vote for their favorite dessert. This time the vote for each dessert will be based upon the number assigned to each student, and the teacher will write the results on the board. Afterwards a discussion will ensue using the following questions as guides:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">How did the results from the two voting methods differ?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">How were the results from the two voting methods the same?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Which method is fair? Why?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is there an advantage in the second method?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Today, you and an assigned partner will be running for President and Vice President of the United States. You will be researching the second voting method known as the Electoral College. From your research, you will complete a graphic organizer which assist you in your understanding of our federal government's presidential election process. Next, you will then find the electors for each state and create an Excel worksheet. Finally, you and your partner will give a brief presentation on two strategies using the electoral college which will ensure your passage to victory.

__**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Computer Activities: **__
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Activity 1

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Activities to be completed prior to <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> going to the computer :

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> 1. Pick up Think Sheet 1 with <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> map of the United States and Graphic Organizer. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> 2. After looking at the Think Sheet, Map, and <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Graphic Organizer, think of what words <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> are included in the Google Search. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> 3. Decide who is running for President <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> and Vice President. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activity 2

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activities to be completed prior to <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">going to the computer :

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Pick up Think Sheet 2 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Discuss how to create a worksheet <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">using Excel. Use Think Sheet 2 to assist <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Electoral College <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">map of the United States <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">and Think Sheet 1 are complete || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activity 3

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activities to be completed prior to <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">going to the computer :

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Review completed Electoral College <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">map of the United States <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Review created Excel worksheet <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Discuss strategies (what states <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">needed to win) to achieve at least 270 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">electors to win the election. Be sure to talk <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">about pros and cons of all strategies. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Discuss which Microsoft Office software <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">will be used in presentation. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">At the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Log-on to computer <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Use Firefox as the web browser <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Go to the Google search engine and research <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">the questions on Think Sheet 1. Be sure <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">the information you obtain answers all the <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">questions on Think Sheet 1, U.S. Electoral <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">College Map, and Graphic Organizer. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4.. Print the desired information. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">At the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Log-on to computer <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Double Click on Excel <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. There are four columns in the worksheet. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Column 1: Should list the names of <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">all 50 states and the District of Columbia. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Column 2:List the electors for each state. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Column 3: Calculate the state's electors <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> to the total number of <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">electors to derive a percent. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Column 4: Calculate the state's <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">electors to the total number of electors <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">needed to win in terms of a percent. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Print Excel worksheet <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Save Excel worksheet on thumb drive. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">At the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Log-on to computer <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Double Click on the chosen software <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Create presentation illustrating the two <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">chosen strategies. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Print pages of presentation. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Save presentation on thumb-drive ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">After going to the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Answer all questions in writing on Think Sheet 1 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Complete the map of the United States with <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">the number of electors for each state and the <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">District of Columbia. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Complete graphic organizer. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">After going to the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Check all percents with a calculator <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">to ensure accuracy of all calculations. || <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">After going to the computer:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Check to be sure both strategies achieves <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">at least 270 electors. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Be prepared to discuss why these strategies <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">were chosen. || __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Supporting Activities: **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Check out books from library about the history and <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">reason for the Electoral College. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Look at encyclopedias and/or books in the library <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">and find: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">*if the U.S House of Representatives has ever decided an election. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">*which elections have had a person <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">win the presidency but did not win the popular vote? || Activity 2 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Sketch a layout of the Excel worksheet <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Use a calculator to determine percents. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Make sure percents in column 3 add to 100% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Create a things- to- be completed list || Activity 3 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Discuss ways to improve presentation <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. Assist any other students with <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Microsoft Office issues. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Practice presentation. || __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Culminating Activity: **__ T<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">he pair of students will do an oral presentation to the class explaining each scenario for achieving at least 270 electors. The students will be prepared to answer any questions from the students. __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rotation Plan to **__**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> __Work__: ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Students will have one computer per pair of students. The students will have 90 minutes to work on the computer to do their research and complete the Think Sheet 1, United States Electoral College Map, Graphic Organizer, Excel worksheet, and presentation worksheet. __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Assessment: **__ Performance || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || Score || chosen to complete graphic organizer are accurate and organizer is difficult to read || Several words chosen to complete graphic organizer are correct and organizer is somewhat readable. || Most words chosen to complete the graphic organizer are correct and organizer is legible. || All words chosen to complete the graphic organizer are accurate and are legible. ||  || correctly labeled || Several electors (50 - 70%) are correctly labeled. || Most electors (>70%) are correctly labeled. || All electors (100%) are correctly labeled. ||  || correctly and <50% of the numbers and calculations are correct. || All columns are labeled correctly and 50 - 70% of the numbers and calculations are correct. || All columns are labeled correctly and most of the numbers and calculations are accurate.(>70%) || All columns are labeled correctly, numbers, and calculations are exact. (100%) ||  || was correct in thought, numbers and calculations. || Both strategies were somewhat accurate in thought, numbers, and calculations || Both strategies were mostly accurate in thought, numbers, and calculations || Both strategies were flawless in thought, numbers,and calculations. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activity 1
 * Objective or
 * Graphic Organizer || A couple of words
 * U.S. Electoral College Map || Few electors (<50%) are
 * Excel Worksheet || All columns are labeled
 * Presentation || One strategy of the two