Even though the 2020 presidential election has been, to put it mildly, politically charged, you may still teach your pupils about voting and the presidential election process without creating a rift in your class. With the help of these activity suggestions, you may aid your students in understanding the basics.
- Honor Former Presidents
Encourage your kids to discover more about the American presidents who have come before. Ask them to evaluate the similarities and differences between the new prospects.
- Argue a School-Related Topic
Is there talk of banning plastic water bottles at your school? Do your students favor a broader range of attire? Select an issue that concerns the pupils at your school, and then have your class take sides in a discussion about it. BusyTeacher.org has some excellent advice for facilitating a debate in the classroom. Discuss the significance of the method in selecting presidential candidates.
- Hold an Election Simulation.
Join students countrywide in the biggest-ever simulated student presidential election by inviting your class to participate. Voting is open for the Studies Weekly Every Kid Votes Student Mock Election through October 28. It costs nothing to sign up for the historical event and witness which candidate the youth of America select.
- Make the Food the Main Focus!
Second graders are given a choice of two snacks by their teacher Ginny Mongar, who invites them to create persuasive campaign posters to persuade their friends to choose the food they prefer. After her class conducts an anonymous poll using ballots, Ginny brings in the snack that received the most votes. “We vote and choose pizza or chicken nuggets for our Thanksgiving feast,” adds teacher Tammy Hartford. Since my young audience cannot read, we utilize images. For at least one of each child’s choices to prevail, we also cast votes for beverages, sweets, and sides.
- Include the Whole School.
According to instructor Sharon Clarke, “we split the school into voting districts and compete to see who can get the most pupils to vote. We watch the national elections and listen to the candidates’ speeches and portions of the debates.
- Use Original Poster Designs to Educate about Voting Rights.
Participate with your pupils in a poster-making project that emphasizes the value of voting for all U.S. adults. Check out these contemporary and retro poster designs on Pinterest for ideas. As the students create their poster designs, talk to pupils about women’s suffrage (1920) and the historical occurrences leading to black voting rights (1965). Think about letting the students vote on which posters they believe are the most persuasive. Which has the best aesthetic appeal? Which conveys the most vital message?
- View Movies Describing the Electoral Process
The terminology and ideas used in our electoral process can be very perplexing. Teaching fundamental vocabulary to students is a fantastic place to start. This YouTube video by teacher Meghan Ginley demonstrates how a caucus operates using LEGOs. Check out these other videos that educate children about the election process!
- Consult Books on the Election.
Understanding the history of our electoral system is crucial, in addition to understanding how presidential elections function. How did voting start? Is voting open to all citizens? The electoral college is what exactly? It’s challenging to explain everything. Here are 18 books regarding elections for kids to supplement your lesson, whether you’re teaching it in person or online.
- Generate Constitutional Crossword Hints
Understanding how the constitution upholds the rights of all Americans is among the most crucial concepts for history students to grasp. After you’ve done teaching them about the U.S. Constitution, test their understanding by having them solve a crossword puzzle you made using terms and clues appropriate for their grade. The Teacher’s Corner and Puzzle-Maker.com are only two of the many free crossword puzzle generators available.
- Gain Knowledge of the Three-Headed Eagle
The three-headed eagle is what? Pose the query, and have them look up the solution for extra credit. Inform students that it’s okay to seek an adult for assistance with something and that adults might even learn something!
