Case Study - Voting in Elections

* BP = bullet point from Features and Strategies

Sequence of Activities	Monitor Learners Progress	Features and Strategies (NRS)				Assess Student Performance	Stages to Reach Expected Levels
Sequence of Activities	Monitor Learners Progress	Vocabulary and Grammar	Discourse Strategies	Phonology and Graphology	Meaning Making Strategies	Assess Student Performance	Indicators of Competence (NRS)
Brainstorm Vocabulary	Clarify definitions Bilingual dictionary Pronounce words	BP1 - extension BP4 - uses pronouns, adjectives, prepositions to describe		vowel + consonant + e eg. vote, candidate Words ending in er - /er/ eg. voter, other			Oral Communication level 2.5 and 2.6
Election Preparation - Form natural work groups to choose a candidate	Conversation skills such as cooperation and participation		BP7 - Using effective conversations skills such as turn taking and asking questions				Oral Communication 25 and 2.6
Deciding on the issues for your party Each participant contributes one issue or idea Large Group activity	Made suggestions Talked about suggestions and decided on a party to join	BP1 - Used accurate vocab relating to topic BP4 - Correct structures to ask questions and give opinions	BP8 - Interactional strategies for feedback	BP6 - Speaks with pronunciation clear	BP7 - Clarified intended meaning reselecting a party		Oral Communication Level 3
Designing your pamphlet Important that all contribute but good opportunity for some to use creative skills Small group	Deciding on division of labour and roles in the group eg scribes, illustrator, candidate etc	As above	As above	As above	As above		Oral and written communication level 1 and 2
Preparing your policy speech (decide as a group the 5 or 6 points you will promote) See pamphlet	Small group activity - contributions by all members and assist with preparation of the speech	BP2 - Comprehends action and words and simple sentences	BP6 - Uses appropriate language	BP5 - attempts spelling and uses word attack skills BP4 - reading and writing scripts legibly	BP5 - Recognises genre of political pamphlets BP8 - Plans and reviews own writing	Observation sheet	Written Communication level 2.3 and 2.4
Delivering your party's speech (each participant to put forth one issue) Spoken	Spokesperson from each group to deliver speech Al party members to listen and question if need occurs	BP7 - Recognises shades of meaning in the different policies and therefore language of persuasion	BP8 - Uses interactional feedback	BP6, 7, 8, 9 - Uses intonation, pacing and pronunciation to relay meaning - eg waves the pamphlet to make a point or raises voice.	BP9 - recognises language varieties in genre in unfamiliar contexts		Oral Communication Level 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
Decide who you will give your preferences to and why. (Having listened to each party's policy speech should help here)	Analyse the facts presented and make a group/party choice based on discussion	BP5 - recognises a phrase that indicates opinion - eg I think that ...	BP8 - Interactional feedback strategies	BP6 - Speaks with intonation and stress clarifying meaning	BP9 - recognises use of language other than stadardised English in familiar context	Observation Sheet	Oral Communication 3.7
Conduct the election App B and C (The involved inviting participants from several other classes to vote) *NB The process of voting is an excellent example of instructional genre	Providing information and group organisation	BP4/6 - Vocab to imitate the polling booth in the form of instructional spoken and written language with modals eg - use of signs, Could you please ...	BP8 - Clarification of points by voters and electoral staff	BP4 - uses gestures to convey intention	BP8 - Interprets gestures and other paralinguistic features	Observation Sheet	Oral Communication 4.6, 4.7
The Count After the vote collect the votes, sort, count and recount. Predict, compare and contrast votes. Visual piles of votes and graphed results	Co-operative procedure followed: collection of votes piling of votes count into piles draw result in graph for first bote and second vote Party members (scrutineers) organise and check the count	Meaning Making Strategies	Problem Solving Strategies	Mathematical Knowledge	Mathematical representation	Observation Sheet	Numeracy Level 4.10, 4.11
		BP3 - Reflects on results in relation to "real world" election Uses hand on material to make such predictions	BP2/3 - uses a graph to represent result. BP 7/8 - estimates result and compares results of parties to confirm result	BP9 - Interprets information from graph	BP2 - Uses a combination of oral and written maths and general language to indicate the problem solving process and result	Observation Sheet	Numeracy Level 4.10, 4.11

The Internet site is very useful and full of information for any level of learner. The explanation on stages in an election and the counting arrangements are explained fully.

This text although dated is very handy for illustrations and reading passages and for vocabulary study.