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Elections

Voting is a right that our ancestors fought for, but we sometimes take for granted. Learn more about how our government works and why voting is essential to our way of life.

• Teachers: This site will help you plan for integrating the electoral process across your curriculum. Take time to fully explore the sites and challenge your students to explore them with their families. Make sure you find a way to validate and value this at home work.
• Parents: It is never to early to help your child become an informed, active citizen. As you share these sites with your child, discuss the importance of voting in a free society.

Indiana Academic Standards
English/Language Arts

Standard 4: Writing Process/Research and Technology

English/Language Arts

Standard 7: Listening and Speaking

Social Studies

Standard 2: Civics and Government

Kids Democracy Project

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This PBS.org site is designed for students in grades 3 to 6 and provides a teacher's guide with math, social studies and language arts ideas for using this site.

Suggested Activities for Students

Choose from the following sections:

1. "How does the government affect me?" lets you explore a town to learn how government affects everyday life.
2. "Inside the voting booth" you may; cast a vote on an issue, learn how 1 vote makes a difference, or explore the history of voting.
3. "President for a day!" makes YOU the President and helps you discover what a typical day is like for the person leading our country.
4. "Send a postcard" lets you remind your parents to cast their vote.

Tips for Teachers

Visit the "Classroom resources" page where there are lesson plans suitable for grades 3 through 6 grade which expand on the topics of how government affects our lives, what being President is like, and the voting booth experience. Lesson plans indicate what subject areas they address. Consider grouping your students to explore this site and report back to the class.

Tips for Parents

Visit the "Classroom resources" page for help in selecting activities appropriate for your child's grade level. Be a great role model - VOTE!

The American Presidency

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This site covers national and international policies of the United States, with a special emphasis on the American Presidency.

Suggested Activity for Students

1. Choose either History or Action:
   1. Presidency in History
      1. This is a short history of each presidency including images, additional links, and articles.
      2. Select a president. Using the menu on the left you can find additional information; his biography, his cabinet, the first lady, key events, and film clips.
      3. On the right you will find additional resources that provide links to other information sources or articles.
   2. Presidency in Action
      1. You can explore in-depth the current policies of this administration.
      2. Explore each policy group and the associated administrative units.
2. Plan how you might share what you learn with your class. Suggestions for sharing include:
   1. create a Power Point© presentation
   2. publish a brochure
   3. design a poster displaying facts about the presidency
   4. write and perform a play based on this information
   5. write a poem
   6. compose and perform a song
   7. showcase your creativity by using your own ideas!

Tips for Teachers

Have a plan for what you want your students to learn from their investigation of this site. Make sure you provide a list or a rubric for students to use in their study. Having students work in small groups, they could create a slide show highlighting the identified aspects of study.

Tips for Parents

Sometimes we forget the scope of responsibility held by our President. As you visit the site with your child, discuss the importance of voting and the serious thought that vote for the Presidency requires. Topics of discussion could include; where you get information about the candidates, what you look for in a presidential candidate, how you monitor the actions of the President, and how you voice your support or dismay over presidential actions.

Have your child write a letter to the President expressing support or concern over an issue your child has strong feelings about.

Additional Voting Activities

Brain Pop: Election Movie and Quiz

Enjoy a movie and a quiz about elections. visit this site

Electing a President

Created for K-5 students, view the show called "Read All About Electing a President" visit this site

This Nation: Tools for Students

Quizzes on subjects such as the constitution and political parties are graded real-time. visit this site

Freedom to Vote

Voting is a right the we have in our country. In some countries the people are not allowed to vote. Print out and write your opinion on our freedom to vote. visit this site

Suggested Activity for Students

Visit one or more of the sites listed above. Did you know that only about 20% of adults vote. Make a list of all the reasons why adults should vote. Turn that list into one of the following; a poster that you can hang at school or in a neighborhood store, a letter to the editor of your newspaper expressing your thoughts, a poem or story to share in your classroom newsletter.

Tips for Teachers

Provide time for students to discuss the problem we face as a nation of voter apathy. Brainstorm ways in which they can help promote voting in their homes, neighborhoods, places of worship and local businesses.

Tips for Parents

Help your child challenge other family members in answering the questions about the American presidency. Set simple family prizes for perfect scores (popcorn and a movie, playing a board game together, a special dessert, etc.)

Buddy² Resource Links

Visit additional resources that are on our site as you develop your thematic unit on elections:

Election Lesson Plans