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3-5: Election Time using a Database

Students, working in groups, use various resources to answer prepared questions about the candidates. Students will enter their data into a prepared database. With teacher guidance, students will learn to use the database to find information.

A lesson plan for Grade 3 Information Skills, Social Studies and Computer Technology Skills

Learning outcomes

After using various methods of researching information, students will learn that a database is an efficient way to store and recall information.

Time required for lesson: 3+ days

Materials/resources

• List of candidates for public office
• Newspapers, news magazines
• TV news (Optional)
• Paper and pencil * Prepared database

Technology resources

Computer with database software. Internet (optional).

Pre-activities

• Students will need to understand the difference between being elected to a position vs. appointed to a position.
• Students will need a knowledge of the election process and which candidates are running for public office.
• Students will need to know how to skim articles for specific information.

Activities

1. Make a list of candidates that you want students to research. They can be national, state, or local candidates. Assign students to groups and give out questionnaire sheet (see attachment Elections Worksheet.rtf).

If you want them to find additional information, type it in the form using a word processor before printing out questionnaire.

Assign students to groups based on their computer skills.

2. Have students use a variety of ways to search for information: Internet, newspapers, news magazines, TV news (homework assignment).

3. After students have completed research, have them enter their data into the Elections database provided or the teacher created database. (Attachment #2). Model how to enter and save data.*Have the most computer literate group go first; then they can assist other groups. Save work after each group finishes.

4. Find Specific Information: (Teacher Directed) * Sort the candidates by Last Name * Go to Record * Choose Sort * Use the drop down box to choose your field: Last Name * Choose ascending or descending * Click OK

These directions are only for those using a database created in Microsoft Works. Users of databases created on other software, would need to be familiar with their software.

5. Answer the following questions:

How many candidates are Republican? * Go to Tools * Filter * Keep Filter 1 as the name or rename it * For Field Name, use the drop down box and choose Party. * Type In the compare to box: Republican.

How many candidates are Democrat? * Go to Tools * Filter * Keep Filter 1 as the name or rename it * For Field Name, use the drop down box and choose Party. * Type in the compare to box: Democrat.

Assessment

Each group will be graded on 2 criteria:

• Were all questions answered correctly on the Elections Worksheet?
• Did each group successfully insert and save their data into the prepared database?

Supplemental information

Related websites

These sites were available for the 2000 election. They may or may not be active in succeeding years.

http://www.politics1.com/p2000.htm

http://www.learnnc.org/newlnc/linkowk.nsf/doc/08-14-00a?OpenDocument

http://www.learnnc.org/newlnc/linkowk.nsf/doc/07-31-00a?OpenDocument

Comments

I have included a database created in Microsoft Works. If teachers have a different database program, they can create their own database using the following field names: First Name, Last Name, Place of Birth, Party, Office, Wife’s Name, # of Children.

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