Objective
By the end of this lesson, Penelope will understand the basic steps involved in the process of running for president in the United States, including the election process and the importance of campaigns.
Materials and Prep
- Paper and colored pencils or markers
- Access to a computer or tablet (optional, for research)
- Printed pictures of past presidents (optional)
- A list of key terms: election, campaign, vote, candidate, and president
Activities
-
Presidential Candidate Role-Play:
Pretend to be a presidential candidate! Penelope can create her own campaign slogan and give a short speech about what she would do if she were president. This will help her understand how candidates present themselves to voters.
-
Campaign Poster Creation:
Using paper and colored pencils, Penelope can design a campaign poster for her imaginary presidential run. She can include her name, slogan, and key points about her platform. This activity will encourage creativity while reinforcing the importance of campaigning.
-
Election Day Simulation:
Set up a mock election where Penelope can vote for her favorite imaginary candidate (herself or a family member). This will give her a hands-on experience of what it feels like to participate in an election.
-
Research a President:
If resources allow, Penelope can pick a past president to research. She can find out interesting facts about their life, what they accomplished, and why they ran for office. This will help her connect with real-life examples of the election process.
Talking Points
- "Do you know what a candidate is? It's someone who wants to be elected to a position, like president!"
- "What do you think a campaign is? It's like a big plan to tell people why they should vote for you!"
- "Voting is super important! It’s how we choose our leaders. Can you think of someone you would want to vote for?"
- "Why do you think we have elections? It's a way for everyone to have a say in who leads our country!"
- "Did you know that all presidents have to run campaigns? They work hard to tell people their ideas and plans!"
- "What do you think makes a good president? Is it being kind, smart, or maybe having good ideas?"
- "Can you name any presidents? What do you think they did that was important?"
- "Remember, even kids can have big ideas about how to make the world better. What would your big idea be?"