Your Vote Matters!
Explore how every single vote can be critical in an election. Through hands-on simulations, families will discover the power of individual choices and learn about electoral outcomes decided by the slimmest of margins.
The lesson goal is learners will simulate an election using physical votes to see how candidates win or tie. They will understand that a single vote can change the outcome and how important it is for everyone to participate in democratic processes.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Breakfast Choice Vote5 Min
- Point out breakfast items and ask for their top choice for tomorrow.
- Move on when Student expresses a preference and a reason for it.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan Our Election8 Min
- Ask them to imagine a real election and what they'd need to run it.
- Help choose two breakfast options as 'candidates' and label containers for them.
- Gather small objects for 'votes' and discuss how voting will work.
- Move on when Students have identified materials for votes and candidates, chosen candidates, and have a basic plan for how to vote.
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels - 3
Understanding the Outcome6 Min
- Introduce 'majority' and 'tie', giving examples for each concept.
- Move on when Student can explain 'majority' and 'tie' in their own words and understands that a winner needs more votes than any other candidate.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels - 4
The Deciding Vote Simulation9 Min
- Distribute 'votes' and have everyone cast them into candidate containers.
- Count all the 'votes' for each candidate and write down the totals.
- Identify the winner and discuss how close the election was.
- Move just one 'vote' from the winner to the loser, then recount.
- Discuss how changing one vote affected the election's outcome.
- Move on when Students have successfully conducted a mock election, counted votes, identified a winner, and demonstrated how shifting one vote can alter the outcome.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels - 5
The Power of One2 Min
- Ask reflective questions about the election simulation and the power of one vote.
- Move on when Student shares at least one insight about the importance of individual votes or the election process.
Photo by Fatima Yusuf on Pexels
Personalize The Spark
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