1. BELLRINGER: On the back of the handout, complete the bellringer prompt.  Write down the candidate you support and give three reasons why you support that candidate.

2. Candidate Blind Match AVID: Election 2012

3. Directions 1.After reading each candidates stance on the issue listed, move to the side of the room you most likely agree with. 2.Once everyone has chosen a side you will try to guess which candidate is which. 3.Once the candidate is revealed, write down the positions on your handout. CIRCLE the position you supported. 4.After the activity complete the reflection questions. Complete the reflection on the back of the handout.

4. Candidate ACandidate B Issue #1: Healthcare Healthcare reform law aims for universal health insurance coverage by requiring individuals who are not otherwise covered to purchase insurance Believes that the federal government should not require citizens to have health insurance; would encourage individuals without insurance to buy it on the private market

5. Candidate ACandidate B Issue #2: Taxes Believes in the so-called Buffett Rule, which asks millionaires and billionaires to pay more in taxes. Believes lower tax rates will encourage businesses and economic growth. He says the U.S. government should reduce spending to allow for more tax cuts.

6. Candidate ACandidate B Issue #3: Education Believes parents should have more choices in how their kids receive an education, whether from a public, private, charter or online school. He urges states to have high standards in public schools and develop new programs for students.

7. Candidate ACandidate B Issue #4: Defense Believes in cutting down on defense spending, which includes cuts to the U.S. military. Believes in rebuilding military strength with government spending

8. Candidate ACandidate B Issue #5: Labor Unions Believes most labor unions provide an overall benefit to their workers in the US Does not believe most labor unions provide an overall benefit to their workers in the US

9. Reflection: 1. Were you surprised by the positions of any of the candidates? Explain 2. Were you surprised by which candidate you agreed with more often? Why? 3. What other factors, besides position on the issues, might have influenced your candidate choice before learning more about each candidate? 4. Have students return to their bell-ringer and write which candidate they now support and why. Is it the same candidate they listed at the beginning of class? If not, what changed their mind?