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Friday, October 24, 2008

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!!)
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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

We just read a great book called something like, "If You Want to be President..." It is a really funny look at the different types of men who have lived in the White House. Really funny, too!

Jess said...

Hey Chica,

Here is a link to a great online game that has your kids actually "run a campaign" (choose their issues, divide their time and resources)...If you nose around on the site more, you'll find basic candidate info and a history of voting, too -

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/election2008/games/candidate/

love you,

jess

Sandy said...

You make me miss homeschooling! It sounds like you have some great plans.

I tired your apple crisp recipe for dessert the other night and my family loved it, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I purchased an ebook from www.ajourneythroughlearning.com called American Government and the Election Process - so far it has been great - not overwhelming for at 3rd and 6th grader.

Anonymous said...

Free election lapbook:

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/election.php

We are doing an election unit this week too, here are a few good links and ideas that I found!

http://hismercyisnew.com/blog/?p=439

Have fun!
Candace

Sassy Gal said...

THANK YOU so much for these resources....they are providing some of the greatest learning with my 1st grader! An election lapbook- who would've thot- my kiddo understands more a/b the election process than most high schoolers! Love your site....