2004 International School of the Americas

 Election Simulation

Here is an outline for the events leading up to the Election Project on Monday Nov. 1^st, 2004.

Oct. 18^th – 26^th Town Hall Meetings

Each day a political party will hold a town meeting at the outdoor classroom during 1^st lunch and 2^nd lunch.  These meetings are to generate support for each party by elevating people’s awareness of each party and their position(s) on the issues.

Issues for each party to be familiar with:

·        environment policy

·        economic issues

·        energy policy

·        social policy (death penalty, abortion)

·        education policy

·        foreign policy

·        national defense

·        and party focus issue

Oct. 27^th & 28^th – Party Affiliation

On these two days during their social studies classes, students will be asked to affiliate themselves with one of the seven parties.  Students may pick only one party, as this is the political party they will be with the first two periods (5^th & 6^th) on Mon. Nov. 1^st.  Each party will be in a different room on campus. Faculty will decide which party they would like to be associated with as will to assist the teachers in charge of their party.

Monday November 1^st, 2004- Election Day Simulation

There will be all day pullout for all ISA students from all of their classes to conduct the simulation.  All  faculty members will assist.

5^th & 6^th pds- students will go to their party’s room for party and voter education.  Party planks making up the party’s platform will be discussed and clarified.  Banners, posters and signs will be created. A speaker will be chosen to represent each parry during the 7^th period moderated debate.  These two periods will be used for accountability and attendance purposes as well.

1^st lunch- Every student will go to first lunch

7^th pd- Students will return to their party room to gather up signs and banners, and to travel en mass to the auditorium.  Russell Rowton will be the Jim Lerher of the debate; moderating a discussion of the issues among the representatives form each party.  Students sitting in the auditorium will have one more chance to hear the parties take about their beliefs on the various issues.

8^th pd- Students will go from the auditorium to their teams.  Each team will develop additional Election Day materials/activities (discussions, chalk talks, movies, etc.) for students to participate in while the student body votes.  Students will not all vote at the same time- each student will receive a slip of paper to be able to vote during a different window of opportunity (an effort to create realism).  Students will then return to their team room to continue and finish up the activities available.

Voting will be conducted in the computer lab and in Room 603B.  Students will need to present a picture ID at the check-in table before going to a voting booth.  They will then return to their team room.

Results will be compiled, and posted.