Are you looking for engaging ways to teach your students about US Presidential elections? Look no further! Here are some fun educational activities to help your students learn about democracy, leadership, and civic responsibility.
>Election Vocabulary Bingo
Introduce key election terms through a game of bingo. You or your students create bingo cards with these vocabulary words and call out the definitions or descriptions. This interactive game will make learning about elections fun and memorable for your students. I created a free bingo card and vocabulary worksheet you can use for this activity. Click here to download it and use it with your class.
>Presidential Trivia Quiz
Have students write trivia questions about past US Presidents and presidential elections. Gather resources for students to use for research. Students can use these resources to write questions about famous presidents, historical events, United States symbols, the election process, etc. Make sure the card includes the answer to their question. When you're ready to play, divide the students into teams and make it a friendly competition. This activity is a great way for students to use research skills as they learn about US history and government.
>Campaign Poster Design
Engage your students' creativity by having them design campaign posters for a fictional presidential candidate. Provide them with basic information about the candidate's platform and encourage them to create posters that reflect the candidate's message. This art-based activity will allow students to express their understanding of political issues creatively.
>Read aloud a book
Here are five books I recommend:
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin: This humorous picture book follows the adventures of a duck who decides to run for farmer, governor, and eventually president. It's a fun introduction to the electoral process and the responsibilities of leadership.
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio: In this story, Grace decides to run for class president after discovering that there has never been a female president of the United States. Through her campaign, she learns about the Electoral College and the importance of perseverance.
So You Want to be President? by Judith St. George: This award-winning book provides an entertaining and informative look at the lives and personalities of various US Presidents. It's filled with fun facts, anecdotes, and illustrations that bring history to life for young readers.
My Teacher for President by Kay Winters: When a boy's teacher announces her candidacy for president, he imagines all the ways she would improve the country if elected. This book encourages students to think about the qualities they value in a leader and the changes they would like to see in their community.
President Pennybaker by Kate Feiffer: When young Penny runs for class president against a popular candidate, she learns that being a leader means more than just winning votes. This charming picture book explores themes of friendship, integrity, and the importance of being true to oneself.
>Role-Playing Election Day
Bring the electoral process to life by simulating Election Day in the classroom. The candidates can be two different stuffed animals. Set up a voting booth and provide ballots with simple choices. Assign students roles as voters, poll workers, and election observers and guide them through the voting process. This hands-on experience will help students understand how elections work and the importance of participating in the democratic process. You
>The Road to the White House
This print and digital booklet is a great way to introduce the election process to your students. The print booklet comes in two sizes, half-page and full-page. Your students can research to fill in the blanks, or you can use the booklet to guide your lessons about elections. A digital, Google Slides, version is also available for whole-class learning. This resource is available in my TpT store.
These activities provide a variety of interactive and educational experiences to teach students about US Presidential elections. By incorporating games, discussions, and hands-on activities, you can help your students develop a foundational understanding of democracy and civic responsibility that will stay with them for years to come.
Happy Voting!
