Indiana Social Studies 8.C.6
The Standard
Explain ways that citizens can participate in the election process (e.g., political parties, campaigns, and elections) at the federal, state, and local levels.
2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how citizens take part in elections by voting, helping campaigns, or working with political parties. They give examples from federal, state, and local races.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can name a race at each level and describe how a citizen could participate. They can explain the difference between a political party and one candidate's campaign.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think elections only happen for president or that people must be old enough to vote to help a campaign. They may confuse a political party with a single candidate.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Label president, governor, and city council as federal, state, or local. For each, write one way a citizen could take part in that election.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups printed cards for president, governor, and city council races; have them sort the cards by election level and add participation examples.
Ask students to write how someone too young to vote could help a city council campaign.
Play a matching game with office cards, election-level cards, and cards showing actions such as voting or making campaign calls.
Show a recent local ballot from your county election office; students choose one race and write a question for its candidates.
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Printable 8.C.6 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 5.C.7
Examine ways by which citizens may effectively voice opinions, monitor government, and bring about change in government, including voting and participation in t...
- USG.5.6
Explain how and why citizens in the United States participate in public elections as voters and supporters of candidates for public office.
- 4.C.5
Give examples of how citizens can participate in their state government and explain the right and responsibility of voting.
- IS.2.4
Give examples of how citizens can participate in their state government and explain their rights and responsibilities, including civic engagement and voting.
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