Factors Affecting Public Opinion Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Students

Topic: Factors Affecting Public Opinion

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the different methods of measuring public opinion and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Materials

• Handout with information about different methods of measuring public opinion (e.g. surveys, polls, focus groups)
• Writing materials (pen/pencil and paper)

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever participated in a survey or poll.
• Ask them to describe the process of taking part in the survey or poll and what they were asked to do.
• Ask them if they have heard of focus groups and what they are.
• Ask them to share any experiences they may have had with focus groups.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of public opinion and explain that it refers to the thoughts and feelings of the general public on a particular topic or issue.
• Explain that public opinion can be measured using different methods, including surveys, polls, and focus groups.
• Discuss the differences between each method, including their advantages and disadvantages.
• Using examples, demonstrate how to conduct a survey, poll, and focus group.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a hypothetical scenario.
• Have the groups brainstorm questions they would like to ask in a survey, poll, or focus group on the given scenario.
• Have the groups present their questions to the class and discuss the reasoning behind each question.
• Assign each group a method of measurement (survey, poll, or focus group) and have them practice conducting the method on their assigned scenario.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose a current event or issue and conduct a survey, poll, or focus group on the chosen topic.
• Have students present their findings to the class and discuss the results.

Closure

• Review the different methods of measuring public opinion and how they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
• Ask students to share any insights they gained about the process of conducting a survey, poll, or focus group.

Assessment

• Have students answer a short quiz or written assessment that asks them to identify and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each of the different methods of measuring public opinion.