Skip to main content

Elected Officials and Their Responsibilities

Students will explain the process of electing government officials and the responsibilities they obtain once in office. Students will then use evidence to support which office they would run for and why.

Duration
Less than 1 hour
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson

Lesson Created By: Raney Stogner

Essential Question

What are the differences in elected officials roles and responsibilities?

Grade(s):

  • 2

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Printed note sheet, printed quick write sheet (optional)

Lesson Progression

1. Pass out. the Notes Sheet for students (Found in lesson resource).

2. Play the "Tameika Isaac Devine | Women Vision SC" episode linked here.

3. Say to students: The people who lead our city, state, and country are elected by people like you and me. Tameika is just an example of someone who was voted in office because she wanted to make a change. Other officials like governors and mayors are elected the same way she was.


4. Pull up the PowerPoint found in lesson resources.
5. As the PowerPoint progresses, take a look at the worksheet found in resources that has what the students must know moving forward. Make sure students have written down what is necessary.
6. Have small discussions throughout the PowerPoint noting the following for each elected official 

- The similarities between years per term

- Requirements to be able to run

- Jobs/Tasks while in office


6. When PowerPoint is finished, have students complete a "quick write" where they discuss which of the 3 elected officials they would wish to be and why. You can use the optional "quick write" sheet, or have students write on notebook paper.
7. Say to students: You must tell me which elected official you want to be AND why. Use your notes sheet to explain your thinking

Teacher Notes

The quick write can be completed in a journal, on the sheet provided, or on notebook paper.

Tameika Isaac Devine | Women Vision SC

Tameika Isaac Devine was age 29 when she ran for office for the first time. She became the first African American female and the youngest person on the Columbia City Council. She recalls winning that...

View Asset

Blank Worksheet

View Resource

Worksheet with Info

This is the worksheet with the information the students need to have filled in.

View Resource

Elected Leaders PowerPoint

View Resource

Quick Write (optional)

View Resource

Assessments

The writing at the end of the lesson can be used as an assessment.