Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basics of presidential elections, including the voting process, the importance of civic engagement, and some key historical facts about past elections.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and colored pencils or markers
• Access to a computer or tablet for research (optional)
• Printed handouts with key terms related to elections (optional)
• A timer for timed activities
• Space to create a voting booth (a small table or corner of the room)

Before the lesson, familiarize yourself with basic terms related to presidential elections, such as "vote," "candidate," "campaign," and "electoral college." This will help guide the discussion.

Activities

• Election Vocabulary Bingo:

  Create a bingo card with election-related words. As you explain each term, the student can mark them on their card. This will help reinforce their understanding of key vocabulary.

• Design Your Own Campaign Poster:

  The student will create a campaign poster for a fictional candidate. They can choose a name, a slogan, and draw images that represent their candidate's ideas. This activity encourages creativity and understanding of campaigning.

• Mock Election:

  Set up a mock election where the student can vote on a fun topic (e.g., favorite ice cream flavor). Create a simple ballot and a voting booth. This hands-on experience will help them understand the voting process.

• Presidential History Timeline:

  Work together to create a timeline of important presidential elections in U.S. history. Include key facts, such as the year of the election, the candidates, and the winner. This will help the student learn about historical context.

Talking Points

• "What do you think it means to vote? Voting is like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor, but for important leaders!"
• "Why do you think it's important to have elections? Elections help us pick leaders who make decisions for our country!"
• "Can you name a president you know? Each president has a story and helps shape our country!"
• "What do you think a campaign is? It's like a big party where candidates tell everyone why they should be chosen!"
• "Do you know what a ballot is? It's a special piece of paper where you write down your choice!"
• "Why do you think some people don’t vote? Sometimes they feel like their vote doesn’t matter, but every vote is important!"
• "What is the Electoral College? It's a group of people who help decide the president based on the votes!"
• "How can we be good citizens? By voting and being involved in our community!"