Students analyze the personalties of the Presidential candidates and identify positive and negative character traits in this political lesson plan.
Grades(s) 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects(s) Language Arts, Social Studies
Objective
1. Students recognize positive and negative character traits.
2. Students learn to evaluate personality traits necessary to become an effective leader
Materials
1. Drawing paper
2. Newspaper articles
3. Computers
Lesson
1. Draw two ovals for heads on the board or overhead. Ask students to describe the perfect teacher and the not so perfect teacher using adjectives. Label the heads.
2. After listing as many descriptive adjectives as possible for #1, discuss how certain personality traits are beneficial for different professions.
3. Using the internet and newspapers, have students analyze political candidates and identify their personality traits. Students can work individually or in groups to compile information.
4. Students then use a dictionary and thesaurus to find stronger descriptive words to describe each candidate. Remind students that all adjectives must be appropriate and that it is possible to use respectful adjectives when describing negative traits. This is also a good time to discuss that a trait that might be negative for one profession might be positive for another.
5. Each student chooses a candidate and writes a Bio Poem about that individual.
Bio Poem
Name of candidate
Four positive traits
Two negative traits
Feels strongly about
Would like to change
Frequently criticized about
Received praise for
6. Students draw a picture of their chosen candidate and uniquely label the picture with personality traits. For example, each strand of hair could be an adjective describing the candidate.
Assessment
Students write a paragraph describing their favorite celebrity using strong adjectives.