It’s election season. What a great time to talk to kids about the events happening in our country, states and local cities. Understanding the election process is difficult for most adults, so any opportunity you can use to teach your kids is valuable.
To help kids grasp the election, how it works and what it means to all of us, try engaging them in some school or classroom elections. You can use real positions such as Student Council President, Class President, etc., or come up with imaginary positions and hold mock elections. Get creative here and let the kids help choose the positions; Lunchroom President, Hallway Secretary, Mayor of the Library? The possibilities are endless, get as creative and silly as you want!
Use these tips & ideas to get started planning your election:
- Incorporate real-life events such as debates – show examples, then hold your own classroom debate.
- Decorate your school or classroom for your elections. Patriotic Event Packs have everything to create your “Election Headquarters.”
- Election hand-outs are fun way to teach kids about different methods of influence. Patriotic Pencils, mini flags, cheek cheers, buttermints, or Patriotic Fun Packs are perfect for this.
- Talk about political propaganda, show real-life examples then help the kids come up with ideas for each position.
- Recognize your elected officials with Patriotic Pins, trophies,or ribbons.
Not into mock elections? Try planning some lessons and activities around real life elections.
- Challenge students to track election polls, watch debates, read up on the candidates propaganda.
- Hold classroom debates over real issues.
- Have students take polls among their peers and chart their results.
- Create a game of election predictions.
- Hold an Election Day event on November 6 with decorations, games, andprizes. Watch live results as they happen and engage your students in conversations about why they are happening.
Take some of the “fear of the unknown”out of the equation and you will be helping your students to one day become informed responsible voters.