Do you have a plan for teaching about elections and the electoral process? Below are a few resources to help you generate an idea or two.
Check out this Elections Project developed by Chrissy MacLean and her colleagues at Watsonville High School for the 2016 elections.
Watsonville High hosts Community Information Fair on ballot propositions
Students investigate a state proposition, prepare a presentation explaining its pros and cons, supporters and detractors, and then share presentations with their community.
As designed, the Project requires about five weeks and is meant for a U.S. government class, but we think it can also inspire shorter, even 1-2 day, lessons. For example, check out “Step 2”–might your class collectively investigate one state or local proposition using similar questions and processes?
Kudos to the hard-working teachers who made this happen and a big thanks to them for sharing their materials!
Also check out the civicsrenewalnetwork.org and their bank of teaching resources on “Voting, Elections, Politics” to find dozens of relevant lessons. This network is a great place to find resources from multiple non-profit organizations, all dedicated to high quality civic education. Start at this link and then limit your search by grade level, organizational authors, or other criteria by using “Filter your results” on the right hand side of the page.
Questions about voting rights are quite current also. Students might read John Lewis’ 2013 Washington Post editorial, “Why We Still Need The Voting Rights Act.” and investigate the outcome and impact of Shelby v. Holder. Older students can consider exploring arguments made in Director Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th. Seek out a few news articles on current laws regarding voting rights and have your students explain and argue the issue (e.g., mail in ballots, reduction of polling places.)
It’s never too young to learn how to register to vote. Modeling your search process to find voter registration information in your state (with lessons along the way about federalism and who is in charge of elections) can ignite a voter registration project.
Young students can also be introduced to elections and voting by considering a classroom issue or rule that students decide. Choose an issue that you are truly comfortable with turning over to your students and then create an election. (The rule can time out but it should be a meaningful bit of power.) The class might investigate the issue by seeking and gathering information, talk about reasons for support or opposition, prepare persuasive presentations, and vote. Reflecting on this classroom election can then generate opportunities to make connections to what adult voters will be doing in California on Nov. 6.
Bring elections into your classroom and guide your students into becoming future voters!