Election year gives you a special opportunity to teach your student the process America goes through to pick a president and other elected officials. There are many ways to help students learn about state, local, and federal election processes, understand the power of their voice and the vote, and become engaged participants in our nation’s constitutional republic. Exercising the freedom to vote should be undertaken with much respect and knowledge. While some may wish to just put their head in the sand and keep their opinions to themselves, your student may be ready to learn how to debate and spread their wings in sharing opinions and learning what they believe to be important in a candidate. You can create a unit study for the summer or start it in the new school year. This would be a great opportunity to study government and economics with your high school students or to introduce your younger students to the process. Here are some thoughts for incorporating the topic of elections into your school year.
Decorate your classroom with patriotic charts and facts about those running for president. Integrate the election into all subjects. As an example:
- Bible – What does the Bible say about rulers and how we are to select them or treat them? Study the Kings of Israel and the role they played.
- Math – Learn to calculate electoral votes. If it takes 270 votes to win, how do you calculate that? What is each state’s electoral vote’s value and why? Calculate inflation and current prices to live today verses 5 to 50 years ago. What percentage of increase or decrease has happened?
- ELA – Write essays about past presidents, current candidates, or topics of this election. Select reading material relevant to topics being covered and have them write a book report or give an oral report to the family. Write a letter to the President and his family. Use a presidential themed writing program. Make up spelling lists with election terminology.
- History – Go to or watch a live debate, memorize some of the important historical documents such as the Preamble to the Constitution or Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, study the life of a former President or current candidate, have a mock election.
- Science – Study the candidates’ stand on climate, renewable energy, or conservation. Write argumentative essays about these topics.
- Music – Learn to sing or play patriotic pieces. Music is a fantastic way to learn the Fifty States, States and Capitals, Presidents, historical documents, and more!
On Election Day!
- Have them witness the voting process and take them with you when you vote. My kids went into the little booth with me. Print out a sample ballot and talk about it ahead of time and let them vote at home. If your child is old enough to vote, make sure they are registered and participate.
- Consider letting your high school student apply to be an election judge. Our son did this in the last election and learned a lot. You will need to contact your courthouse about the process.
- Pray the day of the election. Your students may not be old enough to vote, but they can pray!
- After a winner is declared, help students process their emotions. Teach them how we should treat the office of the President – whether we like the outcome or not. Learn the names of the family and pray for them, too.
Thomas Jefferson said, an educated citizenry is a “vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” The future of our nation will soon be in our children’s hands! ~ Amber Garcia
Teaching Resources:
Race to the White House: Electing the President
Historical Sources on Women’s Rights (America’s Story)
