Our free printable voting kit has everything your kids need to organize their own election and get out the vote!
Q: I’m looking for good resources for talking to my 11- and 12-year-olds about the presidential election, like candidate platforms that are kid-friendly
Get your K-5 kids to cast their ballots!
It's not everyday that our nation elects a new president. And although I am more than tired of hearing campaign ads and seeing yard signs, I am eager to exercise my right to cast a vote...a passion I hope to ignite into all of my children. I realize that the national "Kid's Vote" campaign has made significant strides in spreading the excitement to the next generation of voters, but it does very little to teach kids about the actual election process. So in keeping with my desire to incorporate real-life into learning, I have pushed "pause" on our current Egypt study to complete a mini-unit on voting...specifically voting for a new president. (This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.) Resources that we used We used the following living literature style books: Know Your Government: Governor by Jacqueline Laks Gorman Know Your Government: Mayor by Jacqueline Laks Gorman Chickens May Not Cross the Road and Other Crazy (But True) Laws by Kathi Linz The Taxing Case of the Cows: A True Story About Suffrage by Iris Van Rynbach If I Were President by Catherine Stier Duck for President by Doreen Cronin Voting and Elections by Patricia Murphy We watched a youtube video on what the very first election process was like. I also gleaned inspiration from several great on-line resources which I have compiled on my Government Pinterest board. Election Process in Practice In an effort to clearly explain the election process, I decided to host a 2012 Family Dinner-Time Election. I joined forces with the Announcer's Wife to put together both a PRIMARY and a GENERAL election to elect the dinner to be served on election night. Our family was one political party and her family was the opposing party. I began by allowing each of my four older kids to pick a dinner-time candidate...a main dish that they enjoy. After looking at a few campaign ads and posters we had received in the mail, they were each instructed to make a campaign poster for their nominee. When the Hubs arrived home for lunch in the afternoon, we spent some time conducting a "town hall meeting" or simple debate. The children were each given a chance to explain why their dinner candidate was the best choice and why the others were not. I explained that voters take many factors into consideration when determining their vote. The Hubs and I (as the audience) asked questions and pointed out key "considerations"...like the fact that we might not have the ingredients for that particular item, the Announcer's family is mostly gluten free, mom has a meeting to get to on election night and might not have a lot of time to cook a huge time-consuming meal, etc. They all did a fantastic job responding to our concerns just as a real presidential nominee would do. Next came the voting. I made up simple "official ballots", set up a voting station, and invited the family to cast their vote for the PRIMARIES. The votes were counted and WAFFLES came in with a commanding lead. I then explained that we would need to choose a "running mate" for our candidate. We discussed how a presidential and vice-presidential combination was much like a dad and mom partnership. Dad is in charge, but Mom is second-in-command and is a helper to Dad. Just as Mom has many strengths that compliment Dad's, a Vice-Presidential nominee is chosen because his/her strengths will compliment that of the Presidential candidate. We all agreed that FRUIT would make a nice "running mate." In a humorous twist, the Announcer's family elected PANCAKES and BACON to represent their political party in the general elections. Our two families will be meeting together the Tuesday of the national elections to conduct our own general election. I have made up simple ballots for both readers and non-readers alike. The votes will be cast and tabulated. Later that evening, I will be serving up the winning combination at the dinner table. Who knows which dinner-time combo will win in this Battle of the Breakfast Foods. Right now, it's too close to tell.
Your enthusiasm over the patriotic resources we've been sharing has been so fun! Here you will find all of them in one place.
This blog post includes tips for hosting a mock election in your classroom. Resources, crafts, printables for lessons, and more!
Kids in America need to understand how their government works so that they can be good citizens. Teach them about presidential election 2024.
This blog post includes tips for hosting a mock election in your classroom. Resources, crafts, printables for lessons, and more!
This free printable elections game for kids will introduce kids to what elections are and how they work in a fun way.
Election day for kids: great ideas for teaching your kids about elections! Explore activities & books to teach the history & importance of voting.
As we gear up for our Federal elections, I had a few requests for material on how the system works, etc. So, I’ve put together a collection of resources I found. The best resource for election material is at www.elections.ca – where you can find out information not just for kids, but for yourself too! […]
I am certain that I am not the only well-intentioned, world-class-procrastinator homeschooling mom out there. I am the pro to which the word procrastinate refers. If you've just read that and think that we must be kindred spirits, fear not. Those of us who really do want to capitalize on the election year and teach our kids about the election process can still make it happen with these 10 resources for teaching kids about the election process - for procrastinators like me!
American President Worksheets for kids to learn about U.S. Presidents of the United States. Includes all 46 from George Washington to Biden.
Learn about the election process in your homeschool with Free Election Day Printables, Unit Studies, Activities, Crafts and Misc. Resources!
These election day crafts and election day activities are the perfect way to teach children the importance of voting! These election day crafts and
This blog post includes tips for hosting a mock election in your classroom. Resources, crafts, printables for lessons, and more!
Babies to Bookworms provides a list of election books for kids to introduce them to government, voting, and the election process. Teach kids to vote early!
Election Day is coming up! What a perfect time to start discussing this important event with your students. This can be a tricky topic to address, though, especially in the younger grades. Picture books are the answer! Using books about elections and voting can make the concept much easier for your kids to grasp. I've
Montessori-inspired rsources for helping preschoolers through early elementary kids participate in the excitement of elections!
No matter what side of the aisle you are standing on, the upcoming election year is a great time to cover many topics pertaining to the US government. From how the president is elected to the various branches of government. There are many homeschool study topics for election years that can teach your child about …
Learn about elect process and the president of the USA with these FREE printable Voting for Kids reader to prepare for November elections!
A comprehensive list of resources to teach your children and homeschool students about the Elections process.
Your students will love these Election Day Activities For Kinder - books, mock voting, learninging about elections, and so much more.
Election Day is coming and it provides a great learning opportunity for kids to understand the American political system. In the days leading up to Election Day, take some time to really help you kids understand the election process. 1. Teach kids about the history of the right to vote In the United States (and […]
Using online resources, students use the Elections A to Z Unit Study as a guide to research the history of U.S. elections, the election process, and more.
Learn about elect process and the president of the USA with these FREE printable Voting for Kids reader to prepare for November elections!
A few nights ago the Iowa Caucus was on tv. My ten year old came in, sat down, asked what a caucus was and then seconds later answered her own question. The 2020 U.S. elections are in full swing and BookShark’s U.S. Elections Lap Book couldn’t have come into our lives at a better time! ...
Want to know how to get kids interested in the election? Check out these fun president books for kids & a creative writing activity about being president!
Does the thought of teaching about elections scare you? Here are 5 fun activities for teaching the election process to elementary students.
Election season means teaching children more about the electoral process. This can be a confusing concept for children, as they most likely haven’t experienced much in the way of elections at their young age. A great way for children to learn about the process is to hold a mock election with them, so they can ... Read More about How to Hold A Mock Election
Teach your kids how our country works with these FREE resources on government and the election process!
This blog post includes tips for hosting a mock election in your classroom. Resources, crafts, printables for lessons, and more!
In a democracy, every citizen has an opinion, and each opinion matters. Citizens voice out their opinions in the form of casting votes during election processes. Ensuring accessible voting materials is crucial for upholding this principle. In this article, we bring to you a valuable resource for voters and election organizers. We have curated free printable voting ballot paper templates. These templates are versatile, user-friendly, and customizable. Moreover, they promote an inclusive voting experience for all.
This fun election packet teaches young students about voting and how ballots work. First, students will read a short biography about each presidential candidate. Then they will fill out their ballots. There are three items on their sample ballots: current 2024 president and vice-president teams and their political affiliation, favorite pets, and best classroom reward. Teachers can make this a fun activity by giving your class the reward that receives the most votes. Students can also write in choices, just like the real ballots. There are printable ballot stickers that you can cut out and give your students after they vote. An additional doodle page is included as a creative end task that offers the opportunity to teach key vocabulary election words and concepts.
Election Day is an important day in our government’s history. Finding ways to fit the electoral process into your curriculum can be difficult. Social studies teachers may be apprehensive about how to objectively cover the election since there are so many controversial issues surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Below, you can read about 5 ways ... Read more
Election Day in the United States is officially the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. It will fall somewhere between November 2-8. Whether there are national elections, state elections, or local elections, it’s a great time to create a unit study all about elections.You can use the resources in this post to create
Political affiliations have become very divisive over the past few years. However, regardless of what party you choose to align with politically, all elections operate the same way. And I believe it is imperative that
This election cycle has thus far been quite interesting, hasn’t it? Thoughts as to how to approach the topic have been on my mind for months. As teachers, it’s our job to present an unbiased look at the candidates while focusing on the ins and outs of the election process. We aim to facilitate healthy discussion, when appropriate, and guide students in becoming responsible citizens capable of making their own informed decisions. I hope you find the resources in this post helpful in your own curriculum design as you navigate the exciting world of elections. Scholastic Election 2016 This website is packed with resources for elementary and middle school students. A cool interactive feature is the Road to the White House. As students scroll along the page, they follow the steps that presidential candidates take as they attempt to win the election. There are small bios and fun facts in Meet the Candidates and even a selection of video clips that are each about 2 ½ minutes long. iCivics I’m so thankful that iCivics exists. My students love it! The site includes short lessons on the Electoral Process, Candidate Evaluation and Voting. There are even NEW additions specifically to address the 2016 Election, like candidate bios, debate guides, and an election night tracker. One of my students’ favorite parts of the site is the games section! Two games specifically reinforce concepts related to the election process: Cast Your Vote and Win the White House. My students would happily play Win the White House every day if I let them. Ha! 2016 Presidential Election Candidate Quiz There are several candidate match-up quizzes available online, but one of my favorites is the 2016 Presidential Election Candidate Quiz available through ProCon.org. As students select their choices, there is a pop-up box that shows them how the candidates align to their views. Students can learn more about certain issues by clicking on the “More” buttons located beside many of the questions. I recommend this quiz be shared with older students. I also always recommend that teachers preview the questions on the site to make sure that the topics are suitable for your school community. Interactive Notebooks I love interactive notebooks. They’re engaging and keep students interested in the content due to the hands-on nature of INBs. I designed one for students in 5th – 8th grade that covers voting rights, the voting process, types of elections, the Electoral College, the Presidential campaign process and campaign finance. Each time it’s used, student notes are organized and can be referred back to often during our lessons on the election cycle. The kids love to get out the scissors and glue sticks and customize their notes. If you’re interested in learning more, it’s available on Teachers Pay Teachers right now. There’s even a digital version for teachers using Google Drive in their classroom. J The Living Room Candidate Can’t get enough of those campaign commercials? While we might be tired of seeing candidates in our living rooms by the end of the season, the commercials offer a great learning experience for our students. The Living Room Candidate is a website that has archived commercials that date back to 1952 and recently began including ones from the current campaign cycle! I appreciate that there are so many options available for teaching students the process of evaluating presidential campaigns. If you don’t feel comfortable showing the ads from this year’s election, choose ones with similar messages or themes from past years to teach students the same concepts. The website also includes a selection of lessons geared towards teaching students about evaluating campaign ads. Does Your Vote Count? By TedEd I enjoy finding short, relevant video clips to incorporate into lessons. The Electoral College is a concept that many students find difficult to grasp at first. I was excited to find a 5 minute video hosted by TedEd that is not only informational but visually appropriate and engaging for students. There’s even a little quiz that you can use to check student understanding during your lesson on the Electoral College. Classroom Debate Toolkit by PBS Classroom debates are memorable and rewarding experiences. They encourage students to research and synthesize information while the teacher facilitates a safe atmosphere to debate topics with fact-based evidence and supporting arguments. Middle School and High School is the perfect time to introduce debates to your students. If you’ve never conducted a debate in your classroom, check out the Classroom Debate Toolkit by PBS. Once on the site you can select a PDF document. It's a step-by-step guide to creating and hosting a debate in your classroom. It’s a student-driven experience facilitated by the teacher and challenges students to create logical arguments to support their point of view. The PDF even has a list of ideas for your classroom. While many of the ideas are geared towards older students, there were several debate topics that would be appropriate in a secondary classroom. What resources do you use to teach about the Presidential election? I'd love to hear about them so share in the comments! ~ The Teacher's Prep
