2008 Election project
(Raising McCain vs. obama mia)
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Create a contextual collage featuring the following terms, ideas, and names: red state, blue state,
purple state, electoral college, swing vote, third party, Democratic party, Republican party,
Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Barack Obama. A contextual collage has three elements
to each term: a. an image of the term (any method is acceptable) b. a sentence properly describing
or defining the term c. a sentence applying the term to this discussion (in this case, the 2008
election).
Use a combination of pictures and words to create a comic strip narrative that tells the life story of
John McCain, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, and Joe Biden. A minimum eight frame comic strip is
required for each of the four candidates.
Create a chart for the four aforementioned candidates. The chart should inform the reader about the
candidates’ background, expertise, education levels, public service, and positions on four
issues that you find important. (example issues: affordable college for students, the environment,
etc.)
Watch the vice-presidential debate and two of the three presidential debates. Select four issues that
each of the candidates addresses during the debates. Write the question/ issue and then describe
how each candidate would address the issue or what their key ideas/ beliefs are. After you watch
the second presidential debate, write a paragraph explaining any differences you saw between the
candidates’ previous performance and the latter one.
presidential debates--9/26, 10/7, 10/15 vice-presidential debate--10/2
Research voting laws. Find out what (if any) any laws exist concerning: age, birth, intelligence,
voting registration, voting locations, disclosure of results and surveys while polling places are
still open, voter incentives, additional voting requirements. Create a “T” chart that compares
what IS with what you think SHOULD be.
Pretend that your parents, grandparents, or someone you know intends to vote against the candidate
you favor. Create a “T” chart that lists the arguments against your candidate and your response to
the criticism. Address eight arguments.
PURPOSE
 Recognize the language and ideas present in a U.S. presidential election.
 Summarize the key ideas of each candidate and their parties.
 Apply the concerns of the student to the election.
 Compare the debate performances.
 Form hypotheses about how to make elections more democratic.
 Develop an informed opinion about the candidates.
PROCESS
 Read the newspaper and magazines for election news.
 Watch the debates. Visit the candidates’ official websites.
 Create a dialogue with voters (neighbors, parents, etc.) about the candidates and
the issues.
 Talk to your teachers. Ask questions.
PRODUCT
 Your project options must equal three. (e.g. three #1s, or a #1 and a #2, etc.)
 The projects are due on Election Day, Tuesday November 4, 2008.
 Refer to the guidelines on the back concerning how to take pride in your work.
 Employ proper conventions of writing—capitalization, usage, spelling, etc.)