Friday Dec. 13th – Election Process
Lesson Synopsis: This lesson is about Canada’s Federal Election Process. Students will learn how Canada’s election process functions, and about the respective merits of First Past the Post and Proportional Representation voting systems.
Full Lesson Plan: Dec. 13th – Canada’s Federal Election Process (PDF)
PowerPoint: Dec. 13th – Canada’s Federal Election Process (PPTX)
Worksheet: Dec. 13th – First Past the Post vs. Proportional Representation (PDF)
Learning Goals: Students will learn and be able to understand the significance of the Canadian Federal Election Process.
Success Criteria: Students will take notes from a PowerPoint lecture on key terms and ideas with Canada’s Election Process and work with their classmates in groups to complete a Debate Activity on First Past the Post versus Proportional Representation voting systems.
Lesson Outline
1) Intro to Canada’s Election Process
The teacher will begin by leading a short brainstorming session that will probe for any prior knowledge students might have about Canada’s Election Process. The teacher will call on students who raise their hands and record their responses on a blank PowerPoint slide.
2) PowerPoint: Key Terms and Ideas with Canada’s Election Process
From there, the teacher will move on to a PowerPoint presentation that will cover key terms and ideas with Canada’s Election Process. The PowerPoint will provide an overview of how Canadian Federal Elections function and will cover how often elections are called, who can call an election (the PM or by an MP vote of “no confidence”), ridings, and what election results mean. Additionally, the PowerPoint will cover the ongoing debate between First Past the Post and Proportional Representation voting systems, and cover the benefits and drawbacks with each. Students will be expected to take thorough notes during the presentation.
3) Debate Activity: FPTP vs. Proportional Representation
After that, the teacher will divide the class into two large groups and will hand out booklets with instructions for a group activity in which the groups will conduct a debate over First Past the Post and Proportional Representation voting systems. One group will argue in favour of First Past the Post, Canada’s current voting system, while the other group will argue for changing to a Proportional Representation voting system. The work booklet will contain brief jot notes outlining benefits and drawbacks to both systems. Each group will be given time to brainstorm potential arguments for their respective positions, which they can record in a Graphic Organizer T-Chart included in the work booklet. Students can also use their Chromebooks or other connected devices to research additional information on the two voting systems to incorporate into their arguments. From there, the debate itself will progress in three stages: 1) Opening Statements, 2) Responses to the other side’s arguments, and 3) Closing Arguments. The teacher will give each side 5-10 minutes to prepare their arguments, and will moderate the discussion, recording each group’s arguments on a blank PowerPoint slide.
4) Consolidation: Wrap-Up/Review What was Learned
The teacher will wrap-up the important conclusions and themes of what was learned, and finish the class by asking students to share some of their final thoughts on the Debate Activity and the discussion it provoked.
References
Gordon, D., MacFadden, J., & Watt, J. (2006). Civics Now. Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
CIVIX. (2019, September 16). Federal Elections [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RKzzoLK-g
CGP Grey. (2011, March 9). The Problems with First Past the Post Voting Explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
Cameron Ballingall 