Ethel Mertz Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 I'm planning a US Election Study for DS (8th grade) this fall and wondered what others are doing? Here's what I have so far: I figure we have about 9 weeks from the day after Labor Day to the election and we'll do half an hour a week - so we really won't have a long plan. DS watches CNN Student News every day, so there will be some coverage there. I'm also going to have him watch the debates (which, of course, will add more time to the study). I thought I would assign him two short essays - or maybe even three: one on why one should vote for the republican candidate, why one should vote for the democratic candidate, and why one should vote for one of the independent candidates. Also, I thought I would have DS listen to the new Jim Weiss cd on "Electoral Apocalypses." DS already knows a fair amount about the Electoral College, so we won't have to spend much time on that. And then, of course, he'll watch Election Night coverage and we'll spend some time the next day processing what happened. Any other ideas? Xposted on Gen Ed Board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Listening! I like your plan for the essays--we'd have a tough go with two of them, but it would be a valuable exercise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 Some Links: PBS Election Central Elections from 1960-2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Subbing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 We're using some lessons from iCivics for my 7th grader this year. Not specifically election related, but lots of fun info and games and projects on government and civics in general. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted August 24, 2016 Author Share Posted August 24, 2016 (edited) Finally, here is my 8 session plan for DS14. Note that many denominations/faith traditions have policy on voting and elections. You might want to investigate that as a resource if that applies to you. Please pardon the font problems... Websites: http://www.isidewith.org http://www.politifact.com/ http://pbseduelectioncentral.com/ http://www.4president.org/ http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/EpiscopaliansVote In general: watch daily news coverage, debates, and speeches as they occur (or at least find the recordings on a timely basis). Write an essay on each candidate (Democratic and Republican candidates) stating why someone would vote for them. Extra credit: write an essay on a 3rd party candidate. 1. Explore the section on the election process and discuss. http://pbseduelectioncentral.com/election-process Homework: Listen to the Jim Weiss cd on "Electoral Apocalypses." 2. Explore the Episcopal Church’s stance on voting. http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/EpiscopaliansVote and compare two elections in history. http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/EpiscopaliansVote Homework: continue watching news coverage and any debates or speeches as they occur. Take notes as needed. 3. Take the “I Side With†quiz: http://www.isidewith.org and discuss. Homework: continue watching election coverage from two different news sources (e.g., MSNBC and Fox News). Outline your essay on the candidate hardest for you to write about. You may use that candidate's website. 4. Explore http://www.politifact.com/ and discuss; continue using this resource throughout the fall. Homework: watch election coverage and finish your essay. 5. Explore the section on debates of http://pbseduelectioncentral.com/ and discuss. Discuss any debates you have watched. Homework: continue watching election coverage and outline your second essay. You may use that candidate’s website to support your essay of why one should vote for that candidate. 6. Watch a speech by each Candidate. Fact check it. Homework: Finish writing your 2nd essay. Continue watching election coverage, using more than one news source. 7. Examine the latest polls. What do you think the outcome will be? If you were able to vote, who would you vote for and why? Discuss. Homework: Eat popcorn and watch Election Night Coverage 8. Debrief the election result. ETA: Watching speeches by each candidate, not just one. Edited August 25, 2016 by Ethel Mertz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J&JMom Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 My DS13 is doing a 9-week study of Civics using: 1) Civics Today textbook from Glencoe and online components as a spine. Chapters 1-11 forming of country, constitution, Federal structure, and political process 2) Crash Course US Government videos as they apply 3) Book Series Read Alouds "Kid's Guide" National Gov., World Gov, State Gov, and Local Gov. (borrow from library - https://amzn.com/1432927132) 4) "The Presidential" Game https://amzn.com/B0091NR19A 5) A few projects along the way such as: make a map of the floor during State of the Union, etc. We have already been watching CNN Student News and my husband is very much a political creature, so news coverage is part of our daily lives already. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Brooks Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Excellent post!! Thanks for sharing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Wow--that looks like a fantastic plan! Does anyone know when parts 2&3 of the Electoral Apocalypse will become available? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 We got a free electoral map from CSPAN http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/special-offers.aspx Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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