Objective
By the end of this lesson, Penelope will have a basic understanding of how candidates run for president in the United States, the importance of elections, and what it takes to become the President. She will also learn about the different steps in the election process and have fun creating her own campaign ideas.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Markers
- Sticky notes
- Timer (optional)
Before the lesson, it would be helpful to know some basic facts about the U.S. presidency and the election process. Make sure to have a comfortable space for Penelope to work on activities and express her creativity.
Activities
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Presidential Candidate Creation: Penelope will create her own presidential candidate. She can draw a picture of her candidate and come up with a fun name. She can also think of three important things her candidate will promise to do if elected.
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Campaign Slogan Brainstorm: Together, brainstorm catchy slogans for Penelope's candidate. A slogan is a short and memorable phrase that represents what the candidate stands for. Encourage her to think of something fun and creative!
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Mock Election: Set up a mini election where Penelope can campaign for her candidate. She can use her slogans and ideas to persuade you (or any family member) to vote for her candidate. You can pretend to be voters and ask questions about her candidate’s promises.
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Election Day Celebration: Create a fun "Election Day" atmosphere by making a special snack or treat. You can celebrate the end of the lesson by discussing what she learned while enjoying the treat.
Talking Points
- "Do you know what a president does? The president is like the leader of our country!"
- "Running for president is a big job! People have to tell others why they should vote for them."
- "What do you think makes a good president? Is it being friendly, smart, or helpful?"
- "A campaign is like a big adventure where candidates try to convince people to vote for them!"
- "Can you think of a fun slogan? A good slogan makes people remember the candidate!"
- "Voting is super important because it’s how everyone gets to have a say in who leads our country!"
- "What do you want to promise if you were running for president? Promises are important because they show what you want to do!"