Virginia SOL 3.1.f

Social Studies3rd Grade

The Standard

running for elected office

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how a citizen becomes a candidate for a public leadership role. They identify basic actions such as choosing an office, stating positions, campaigning, and participating in an election.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can describe a candidate’s role and put the main campaign steps in order. They can present a simple platform and explain how voters choose among candidates.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a candidate already holds the position or automatically receives it. They may confuse campaigning with voting. Some assume every office has the same age, residency, and citizenship requirements.
How to Assess It: Give students this exit prompt: “List three things a candidate does before an election, then explain how the winner is chosen.”

Lesson moves

Hold a mock class council election using nomination forms, one-minute speeches, paper ballots, and a public vote count.
Ask students to write: “What qualities should voters look for in a candidate, and why?”
Give pairs campaign-step cards to arrange in order, then have them explain each step to another pair.
Examine a local candidate flyer and identify the office, two stated goals, and what the candidate asks voters to do.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.1.f, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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