Core Skills Analysis
Social Studies (Civics/History)
Ivy examined a color‑coded map that displayed the 2016 presidential election results for Democrats and Republicans across all 50 states. She identified which party won each state and explained how the Electoral College distributes votes based on state outcomes. By comparing regional patterns, Ivy recognized that political preferences often cluster geographically, giving her a concrete sense of how elections shape national leadership.
Mathematics (Data Interpretation & Statistics)
Ivy counted the number of states carried by each party and calculated the percentage of the nation that voted Democrat versus Republican. She used the map legend to translate colors into numerical data, then created a simple fraction and converted it to a percent. This activity reinforced concepts of ratios, percentages, and basic data visualization for a 10‑year‑old.
Geography (Map Skills)
Ivy located every state on the election map, noting its shape, position, and neighboring states. She practiced reading a map legend, understanding north‑south and east‑west orientation, and recognizing regional groupings such as the Midwest and the South. The exercise helped her build spatial awareness and the ability to interpret thematic maps.
Tips
To deepen Ivy's understanding, have her stage a mock election where classmates represent each state and cast votes using paper ballots. Follow the election with a bar‑graph activity that compares the number of states and electoral votes won by each party. Encourage Ivy to research one past presidential election and write a short report on how the political map changed over time. Finally, organize a family interview where Ivy asks relatives about their voting experiences and records the responses in a simple chart.
Book Recommendations
- If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier: A kid‑friendly explanation of how the U.S. election process works, from primaries to the Electoral College.
- The U.S. Election: A Kids' Guide to the Political Process by Karen S. Rudd: An illustrated guide that walks readers through voting, parties, and how election results are tallied.
- A Kid's Guide to the Presidency by Sam Kauffmann: Offers background on the roles of the President and the history of past elections, perfect for curious 10‑year‑olds.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.SP.C.1 – Recognize and interpret categorical data using charts, tables, and graphs.
- CCSS.Math.Content.8.SP.A.1 – Construct and interpret scatter plots and bar graphs to compare data sets.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 – Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats, including maps.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey facts clearly.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Tally the number of red (Republican) and blue (Democrat) states, then calculate the percentage of total states for each party.
- Quiz: Match each state to its 2016 winning party using a drag‑and‑drop digital activity.
- Drawing task: Create a fictional election map for a class‑wide vote on a school issue, using a new legend.
- Writing prompt: Write a short diary entry from the perspective of a voter in a swing state during the 2016 election.