Introduction

The My Voice National Student Mock Election 2012 curriculum aims to engage students to think critically about civics, democracy and our nation’s political process. It is our hope that through the curriculum and the mock election experience, students will be encouraged and inspired to become active participants in our American democracy.

At each grade cluster, the My Voice National Student Mock Election lessons focus on the following Big Ideas (going deeper into each Big Idea as the grade clusters advance):

  1. Our Government was founded upon basic principles articulated in the Charters of Freedom (the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights). The purpose of our constitutional government is to protect the rights of individuals and promote the greater good; and the powers of our government are limited, and organized by a division of powers among the legislative, executive and judicial branches, and between cities, states and the nation.
  2. American Principles, as articulated in the Charters of Freedom, provide the basis of our democratic society. The shared values and principles within these Charters provide the framework for the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. An inherent struggle between the ideals of democracy and the reality of democracy require shared civic values, understanding and action.
  3. The Electoral Process is the method by which a person is elected to public office. Campaigns, political parties, elections and citizen participation impact the electoral process. Citizens can exercise their right to elect leaders and make choices. They may also choose to educate themselves about candidates, issues and the electoral process. It is through continued and collective civic rights and responsibilities (such as voting) that we can sustain and improve our democracy.

In addition to these Big Ideas, lessons components include: