An Election Unit

In the next few weeks, we will be reading up on the election to gain a better understanding of what is going on on November 4th. My 8yo will be able to work a shift at the Kids Voting booth in our town, thanks to a notice on our homeschool eloop. My mother in law is taking her, as I knew I couldn't do that with two younger ones in tow!

Here are a few resources I have discovered to read to younger ones so they will understand the process of voting and a (very) basic understanding of the way the government is structured:

Here is a list of voting links all in one spot:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gidget/467366/

Here is the video from Schoolhouse Rock explaining the electoral college:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2N4SDGklQ

Also, I just discovered that on the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin video, there is a bonus video about election time. Yay!

We will read the following books:

Woodrow The White House Mouse by Peter and Cheryl Barnes (The same authors also have one called Woodrow For President: A Tale Of Voting, Campaigns and Elections that looks really good, but unfortunately our library doesn't carry it. I think I am going to pick up a copy from Barnes and Noble, though!)

Duck For President by Doreen Cronin

Vote! by Eileen Christelow
Several years ago, I received a teachers' guide for this book at a giveaway. I am so glad I saved it all these years as there are several neat activities suggested to go along with the book. I plan to do some of those prior to Nov. 4th.

If I Ran For President by Catherine Stier

The Ballot Box Battle by Emily Arnold McCully

I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women The Vote by Linda White

A Woman For President by Kathleen Krull

So You Want To Be President by Judith St. George

D is For Democracy by Elissa Grodin. HT to Elizabeth Foss for this title, as well as this link to a free downloadable teacher's guide for this book. I am thankful that our library carries this title! We will probably keep studying even past the election, as this book includes some great basic government information. A mini Civics unit in a book!

We will also go through the Notgrass "In the News" booklet called Elections. This is something they used to send out monthly, and I saved ours from four years ago-- I am glad I did, because they no longer offer it!

I am also hoping to make a brief trip to the campaign headquarters in our city for a brief glimpse of what's going on down there. We did this four years ago, and it was interesting.

I think this should make a nice unit on elections that will at least offer my 8 and 6 yo's a familiarity with the election process. Maybe-- just maybe-- we will attempt our first lapbooks with this unit.

Anyone else know of some great activities or resources I am missing out on? I would love to hear about them! (Be sure to check out the comments-- there are some great internet resource links listed there! Thanks guys!!)