US President

Americans are about to go to the polls to decide who will be the next President of the United States. But what does it mean to be President and what do the candidates think about particular issues?

EPISODE 31

4TH NOVEMBER 2008

Focus Questions Learning Area

1. Who are the presidential candidates? Society and Environment 2. Why is the President of the United States sometimes called `the world’s most powerful person’? 3. How many Presidents have there been? Key learning 4. Who can run for presidency? Students will investigate the 5. Who is responsible for protecting the President? candidates for the US 6. Why do they need protection? presidential election and 7. Describe the White House. their position on certain 8. What was surprising about this story? issues. 9. Do you think Australia should be concerned about what happens in the US election? Explain your answer. 10. How has your thinking changed after watching the BtN story?

Meet the candidates Students will be investigating the candidates running in the US election. Ask students to brainstorm what they already know about the candidates and what they would like to find out. Students will be using the Internet to research who the candidates are and what each stands for on particular issues. Encourage students to choose issues they think are important. The following can be used as a guide:

• Environment • Education • Health care • Immigration

Students need to: • Summarise what each candidate’s position is on the issues. • Explain the similarities and differences between the views of the Democrats and Republicans. • Describe why the issues are important to them and where they stand on the same issues.

• Who they would choose as President with a statement supporting their choice.

Students present their information in an electronic format. This can include:

• PowerPoint presentation • Web page • Animation/Short film

Further investigations

Investigate how the candidates have used the Internet to campaign for the presidency.

Write a one-minute speech arguing the importance of the US election for Australia.

Create a bumper sticker that supports one of the candidates. Students can think of a slogan that will catch people’s attention.