Teacher: Jen Herne

School: FHS
Grade/Subject: Canadian Identity 9
Unit: Government

Lesson: Elections

Curriculum Outcome:
9.4.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and operation of government in Canada under
a federal system.

Content learning (I can Statement):

I can understand the election process in Canada.

Time: 2-3 Classes (3 hours and 6 minutes)

Materials:
- PowerPoint Elections in Canada
- Handout Where Are You on the Political Spectrum?
- Video Civix Electoral Process Canada) available on youtube.

Lesson

Hook: Discussion & Video

Time: 10 minutes

1. To begin the lesson, ask students the following discussion questions to get them thinking about
the electoral process in Canada. Discuss answers.

a. Have you ever voted for something before?

b. How was the winner decided?
c. Did you think the process was fair? Why or why not?

2. Video Electoral Process in Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USK3Q4rsgnw

Play the video for the class. Ask them to pay close attention to why we vote in Canada and
how this process occurs.

Content Learning and Critical thinking: Question & Answer Period

Time: 40 minutes

1. Key concepts & terms - Using the PPT, go through a series of questions that require students to
understand the election process. Present the class with each core question. Allow them time
to answer, and then present students with the correct answers. Key questions include the
following:
I. Who is responsible for running federal government elections?

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 II. When is the federal election?
III. Who is eligible to vote?
IV. How do I confirm my identify and address?
V. Who do we vote for?

2. At this point, you can switch gears and have students brainstorm which major political parties
exist in Canada. Show them a list of the parties who are currently registers (slide: 10). Ask
students if they know anything about any of the listed parties.
3. Next, explain that there are 5 major political parties that we vote for in federal elections. Show
slide: 11 and ask students if they can identify the parties.
4. Slide: 12 Explain the different between left-wing and right-wing political values.

5. Political Values Survey administer a copy of the survey to each student and explain the
purpose, which is to determine where they stand on political issues. Have each student tally
their answers and discuss findings. Ask students if they were surprised by the findings?

6. Voter Turnout - Finally, discuss voter turnout. Show students a graph of voter turnout in the 2011
election and ask them to chat with a partner to interpret the results. The following bar graph
explains in more detail who is voting. From this graph, students should be able to infer that
youth have the lowest voter turnout in the country.

7. Discussion Based on the statistics of voter turnout, ask students to discuss the following
questions:

I. What explains decreasing voter turnout?

II. Why are young people not voting?
III. Do you think voting is important? Why or why not?

Conclusion: Introduce Student Election Activity

8. Introduce the activity that will take place over the course of the following 2 classes (see
below).

Time: 5-10 minutes

Assessment:
Formative: Check for understanding through class discussion.
Summative: n/a

Modifications:
Lesson notes and PPT are provided as needed.
Allow for the use of assisted technology (e.g. iPads).
Modified tasks/handouts provided as needed to students with exceptionalities.

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 Student Election Activity

TASK: Our class will be holding student party elections in our class. Your task is to work with your
assigned group to create a student leadership party and run for student council of our school.

You will need to complete the following steps (with your group):

TASKS (complete as a group) Task Complete?

1. Discuss and create a party name and slogan.

2. Choose a representative to be the spokes person for your

party. He/she will make a 5-minute speech before the election.

3. Create a party platform (decide which issues matter most to

your party and what is your stance. Record your answers -
minimum of 5 issues).

4. Write a campaign speech (each group will have 5 minutes to

present their campaign on Monday).

5. Create a campaign poster (it should include party name,

slogan and an image)

6. Create voter I.D. cards (for each member of your group)

The party election will be held on Monday, May 1st. On this day, we will present campaign platforms
through speeches from each of the parties and then vote on who we want to elect for the next
leading party of our school.

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 Step-by-Step Process for Election Day

1. Give students the first 5-10 minutes to organize themselves and get their posters, part platform
and speeches prepared.

2. The teacher should ensure that each student has an ID card that will be used to check the
students names off the voter list as they each go in to vote.

3. Select one person to be the Retuning officer (this can be the lead instructor) who oversees the
electoral station. Select also one Deputy Returning Officer (a student) who is responsible for
ensuring that each person voting on election day is checked off the list, and a Polling Clerk,
who helps the Deputy check voters names off the list. The Deputy and the Polling Clerk are
also responsible for handing each person a ballot. They will also responsible for counting the
votes after the election is complete. Set up a table beside the voting screen for the Deputy
Returning Officer and the Polling Clerk to check students in. Use name tags to help students
identify their roles. You can even give all students a name tag and tell them to write the name
of their party on it.

4. When each station is set up, ask each group (student parties) go up to the front of the class to
give their campaign speech. They should display their poster and make reference to their
party name as well as their party slogan.

5. When each of the groups has given their campaign speeches, ask students to line up outside
(in the hallway) and tell them it is time to cast their votes. Have students come into the
classroom one-at-a-time to register and cast their votes behind the screen. Make sure the
Deputy RO and the Polling Clerk instruct students to fold their ballot in half (ONLY ONCE) and
place it is the ballot box.

6. When each student has voted, the RO, the Deputy RO, and the Polling Clerk can cast their
votes. Next the students must wait for the votes to be counted. This can be done publically as
a class to ensure all students are engaged. Write the names of each of the parties on the
whiteboard and have the Deputy RO and Polling Clerk tally each ballot one-by-one. This adds
to the suspense! Alternatively, you can ask them to count the votes in private and then
announce the winner to the whole class.

7. Once you have counted the votes, announce the winner and have the winning party come
to the front of the class to collect their winning certificate.