We just got the results of the Straw Poll in Iowa today, and whatever you think of them, they are evidence that the presidential campaigns are in full swing. Even some preliminary debates have occurred as candidates vie with each other to look electable.
Educators at home and in schools need to be ready to answer student questions about what they are seeing and hearing in the news. It’s time for students to learn more about the election process. That’s why Barb’s People Builders is ready to help you find just the right resources to help you teach your children or students what elections are all about .
You might want a simulation of the election process that your class in grades 4-8 can enact in a week of class time such as Electing the President: The Electoral Process in Action. If you prefer hands-on activites for students in grades three or over for teaching about the forms of government, voting, and elections in the United States, including the Electoral College, Elections in the U.S.A. Activity Book might be just what you are looking for. It’s companion, Elections in the U.S.A. Photo Activity Cards, provides photos for bulletin boards, as well as research and hands-on activities for groups and individuals on the back. If you are teaching at the high school level, Cast Your Vote High School , will be one of your best bets. It covers national, state, and local governments, and provides an opportunity for students to elect a student liason between students and the local police department to see how the process works. For additional resources, please check out Barb’s People Builder’s page on Government and Elections.
