Activity

Targeted Year Level

Key Inquiry Question

Classroom Election
Year 5
What is democracy and why is voting in a
democracy important?
How do laws affect the lives of the citizens?

Overview of Activity
Using an example of interest to them, students explore the key features of an electoral
process by participating in an electoral process.
In this activity students will recognise an issue in the classroom, and then identify and vote
on possible solutions to fix the issue. The students will explore the importance of enrolling
to vote, the importance of participation in a democracy and the reasons why people vote.

Prior Knowledge
As a class, students have explored the key features of the Australian electoral process. Students
understand that the secret ballot and compulsory voting is a key feature of Australias democracy. In
previous lessons, students have explored that only people enrolled to vote have the right to vote
and make their vote count.

Lesson Objectives
Interact with others and in groups share perspectives and plan for action.
Use and evaluate a range of information to develop a point of view on an issue.

Learning Intentions
Recognise an issue in the classroom and vote on possible solutions to fix the issue.
Participate in an electoral process.

Outcomes and Indicators

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL
SCIENCES
Civics and Citizenship ACHCS032: Work in
groups to identify issues
and develop possible
solutions and a plan for
action using decision
making.

General Capabilities
THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL
CAPABILITY CONTIUUM
Social Management:
Level 3: Work collaboratively
Level 3: Make decisions

ACTDIP022: Manage the

creation and
communication of ideas
and information including
online collaborative
projects.

LITERACY
Composing texts through
speaking, writing and creating:
Level 5:
Use language to interact
with others.

Student Instructions

ICT Processes and

Skills

Students discuss an issue in the classroom to

vote on. Eg. Homework, lunch breaks, too
much work, what to do during free period.
Once a topic has been decided, as a class
discuss how to word the question for the
ballot. Eg. What should 5A do during free
period?
Students should then come up with 2 or 3
(depending on the question) choices for
students to choose from when voting.

The teacher will then type the question and 2

or 3 choices into the App Poll Runner.

Students line up in 2 lines.

After all students have voted, one student

should to go to the iPad and click the tally
results button to see which choice won the
most votes.

2 iPads are left at the front of the classroom

next to a classlist. One at a time students
must go to the front of the classroom, tick
their name of the class list (to say they have
voted) and on the iPad cast their vote.

Modifications
Student with ADHD:
(Differentiate Process)
Provide explicit short
commands
ESL Students:
(Differentiate Process)
Provide a buddy to explain
Ensure students are on task
Teacher models task
Indigenous Students:
(Differentiate Process)
Allow students to have
buddy
Student who is blind:
(Differentiate Process)
Allow student to verbally
tell the teacher their vote.
Teacher will complete the
ballot paper and registration
for the student.

Resources & ICT

- iPad App:
Poll Runner
- Interactive
Whiteboard

The choice that has the most votes wins the

election.

The election results will be put into effect for

the rest of the day.

Assessment

Assessment As Learning
The assessment as learning for the activity will consist of students reflecting on their own learning and their
experience of taking part in a democratic vote. At the end of the lesson students will complete a reflective
journal that allows students to reflect on and write about their progress in learning about the importance of
voting. Students will identify and reflect on successes and challenges and should write about their thoughts and
feelings about the activity. As the journal is assessment as learning, students do not have to write in complete
sentences if they chose not to. The journal will not be marked for spelling and grammar rather will allow
teachers to gain information on what the student thinks and feels in a non-threatening way.