2nd grade students will conduct a project-based learning assignment on the 2016 United States election. Working in groups, students will research the candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and their positions to create a presentation educating their classmates. Students will learn about the election process and hold a mock election in their groups. Over seven weeks, they will research the candidates, prepare presentations, present to the class, and observe the real-life election results. The goal is for students to gain an understanding of the U.S. election process and its importance.

2. United States Election 2016
Project Based Learning Assignment
2nd Grade

4. Project Based Learning
• A teaching method in which students gain
knowledge and skills by working for an
extended period of time to investigate and
respond to an authentic, engaging and
complex question, problem, or challenge.
• A dynamic classroom approach in which
students actively explore real-world problems
and challenges and acquire a deeper
knowledge.

5. PBL/2016 US Election Project
Objective
Students will works in groups to understand
the election process and details about each
candidate. Students will begin to understand
the election process and why it is important to
vote as a citizen of the United States and what
the United States election means to the rest of
the world.

6. United States 2016 Election
• Students will learn how the election process is conducted in the United States and understand why
the United States election is so important to the rest of the world.
• Specific:
– Students will work in groups to create a presentation and educate the class about the
candidates they chose to research.
• Measureable:
– Students will learn about the election process, how votes are counted by state and how the
president is chosen
• Attainable:
– Students will conduct research about each candidate by asking parents and family members
• Relevant:
– The topic is relevant to present day world issues.
• Timely:
– 7 Weeks project – 1 day per week (45 minute block)
Groups of 4 students: Each group represents a different state in the US.

7. Timetable
• Week 1 – Introduction to the project. Note home to parents
explaining what the project is about. Introduction video – Go
Noodle “Vote”.
• Week 2 – Discussion about 1st president, George Washington,
currant president, Obama, and the election process.
• Week 3 – Overview of the two candidates: Hilary Clinton and
Donald Trump.

8. Timetable
• Week 4 - Research candidates and and
understand what their campaign is about and
what they stand for.
• Week 5 - Prepare presentations and rehearse.
• Week 6 – Presentations to class and voting.
• Week 7 (to fall on election week) – Talk about
the election and who will be the next
president of the United States.

9. Materials
Students will need:
• Internet Access
• Social Studies Books
• Library Access with history books available
• Presentation materials
– markers
– chart paper

10. Procedures
• Students are grouped in groups of 4. As a group students
determine what state they want to represent.
• When conducting research students will interview parents and
family members to learn about the two candidates.
• Students will use the Internet to research the two candidates.
• Students will rehearse their presentation in the classroom.
• Students will present their presentation on their findings of the two
candidates. However, they will not give away who they are voting
for.
• In their groups (state) students will independently vote. Votes will
be counted by state. Each state (group) will have one winner. Then
as a class we will count up the winners for each state.
• After the election the class will watch footage from the election
night with one video showing who won the election.

11. Collaboration
• Students within their
group
• With other groups in
their classroom
• Parents and family
members

12. Skills Students are Learning
• Communications Skills:
– Students are working in groups to develop
communication and teamwork skills.
– Students are communicating with friends and family
to understand a real world issue.
– Social Skills by presenting in front of the class.
• Problem solving and Critical Thinking:
– Planning, organizing and presenting clearly a
presentation in front of the class.
– Using research via online and via friends and family to
make a decision about a real world issue.