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Votes Count: Math and Voting

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Shanté Wilkerson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Votes Count: Math and Voting

Learn percentages and data interpretation

In this lesson, students will engage in a mock election to learn about voting, counting, and analyzing votes. They will practice calculating percentages and interpreting data, which are essential skills in understanding democratic processes and making informed decisions. This lesson will help students develop critical thinking and mathematical skills in a real-world context.

Audience

4th to 6th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Learn percentages and data interpretation

Materials

Ballot papers, Voting box, Calculator, Worksheet: Vote Counting and Analysis, and Discussion Questions: Math and Voting

Step 1

Introduction to Voting and Electoral College

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of voting in a democracy.
  • Introduce the concept of the Electoral College and how it differs from a simple majority vote.
  • Explain the concept of a mock election and how it will be conducted in class.
  • Distribute ballot papers to each student.

Step 2

Assigning States and Electoral Votes

5 mins

  • Divide the class into groups, each representing a 'state' with a certain number of 'electoral votes' based on the size of the group.
  • Explain that larger groups have more electoral votes, similar to real states.

Step 3

Conducting the Mock Election with Electoral Votes

15 mins

  • Set up a voting box in the classroom.
  • Allow each group to vote internally, and the majority winner of each group receives all of that group's electoral votes.
  • Tally the electoral votes to determine the overall winner of the election.

Step 4

Counting and Analyzing Votes

15 mins

  • Collect the votes and count them together as a class.
  • Use a calculator to help students calculate the percentage of votes each option received.
  • Discuss how to interpret the results and what they mean.

Step 5

Discussion and Reflection

10 mins

  • Use the discussion questions to guide a conversation about the voting process, the Electoral College, and its importance.
  • Encourage students to reflect on what they learned about math and voting.

Step 6

Closure

5 mins

  • Summarize the key points of the lesson.
  • Ask students to share one new thing they learned about voting or math today.
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Discussion

Math and Voting

A discussion to reflect on the voting process and its mathematical aspects.

Why is voting important in a democracy?

Discuss the role of voting in decision-making and representation.







How did we calculate the percentage of votes?

Review the steps of calculating percentages using the vote counts.







What can we learn from analyzing voting data?

Explore insights gained from understanding voting trends and results.







How does the Electoral College differ from a popular vote?

Discuss the differences and why the U.S. uses the Electoral College system.







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Worksheet

Vote Counting and Analysis

A worksheet to practice counting votes and calculating percentages.

Count the total number of votes for each option.

Use tally marks to keep track of the votes.







Calculate the percentage of votes each option received.

Use the formula: (Number of votes for option / Total votes) x 100.







Interpret the results: Which option won and why?

Consider the percentage of votes each option received.







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