XPost: US Election Study Plans

[Ethel Mertz]

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.

[MEmama]

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.

[Ethel Mertz]

Some Links: 

 

PBS Election Central

 

Elections from 1960-2012

[JadeOrchidSong]

Subbing!

[Momto6inIN]

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.

[Ethel Mertz]

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 3^rd 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

[J&JMom]

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.

[Ms Brooks]

Excellent post!! Thanks for sharing.

[MEmama]

Wow--that looks like a fantastic plan!

 

Does anyone know when parts 2&3 of the Electoral Apocalypse will become available?

[theelfqueen]

We got a free electoral map from CSPAN http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/special-offers.aspx

 

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