2024 is a United States Presidential election year, and we know how important voting for the President of the United States can be. I also know how scary teaching presidential elections in the classroom can be during an election season.
The 2024 United States Presidential Election presents a unique opportunity for us to engage our students in the democratic process, foster critical thinking, and build a deeper understanding of civics. As teachers of upper elementary and middle school students, we can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment by integrating diverse resources and activities into our curriculum when using quality election lessons.
This blog post will guide you through a comprehensive unit plan, including activity ideas, that I use in my own 5th grade classroom. The unit plan leverages valuable resources to teach about the 2024 Presidential Election, ensuring your students are informed, engaged, and excited about their role as future voters.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: Introduction to the Election Process
First things first, I think it’s necessary to provide my students with a robust foundation and introduction to the election process, including the presidential election cycle. I begin my unit by exploring the basics of the U.S. electoral system, including the roles of the President and Vice President, the significance of primary elections, and the general election. Use the provided activities to explain key concepts such as political parties, campaigning, and the importance of voting.
I created the Create-a-Candidate Unit to help my students understand the concepts of a candidate and the important issues they fight for. The unit includes various activities for students to work through.
- What is a Candidate? What Are the Issues?: This activity takes students through the two sides of an issue and helps them decide for themselves what they think about a specific topic. Use this to introduce the concept of a political candidate and contemporary issues in a balanced and unbiased manner.
- What Do I Think?: Students will explain why they believe what they believe about candidates and issues. They’ll need to defend why they feel the way that they do. This encourages critical thinking and personal reflection.
- The Character of a President: Students will work through multiple activities to determine the positive and negative traits of a leader. They will choose the most desired traits for someone running for President, fostering discussions about leadership qualities.
- Writing Activities: Students will complete three writing activities:
- Create an acrostic poem about presidential qualities.
- Create and write about a fictional candidate they would nominate for President.
- Explain why they have chosen certain characteristics of a nominee, promoting creative thinking and articulation of ideas.
- My Ideal Candidate: Students will brainstorm what would make a great Presidential Candidate. They will then write an essay about their ideal candidate, combining research and personal opinion.
- A Presidential Glyph: Students will create a Presidential Glyph with the bust of Abraham Lincoln as the focal point. This activity can be adapted for various grade levels and helps students understand symbolism and representation.
- Mock Election: Students choose roles and run a mock Presidential election in the classroom, providing a hands-on experience with the electoral process.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: Facilitating Classroom Discussions on Democracy
Facilitate discussions about why elections are essential in a democracy. Encourage students to share their thoughts on the qualities they believe are important in a leader.
Begin by creating a safe and open environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions. Start the discussion with a brief introduction about the role of elections in a democracy. Explain that elections are a fundamental aspect of democratic societies, allowing citizens to choose their leaders and influence government policies. Emphasize that every vote counts and that participating in elections is a way for citizens to have a say in how their country is run.
I use two specific topics and talking points to accomplish this goal in my classroom:
Why Are Elections Essential?
- Representation: Explain that elections ensure that the government represents the will of the people. By voting, citizens choose leaders who reflect their values and priorities.
- Accountability: Discuss how elections hold leaders accountable. If elected officials do not fulfill their promises or act in the best interests of their constituents, they can be voted out of office in the next election.
- Legitimacy: Highlight that elections provide legitimacy to the government. A government elected by the majority is seen as having the authority to make decisions on behalf of the people.
- Peaceful Transfer of Power: Explain that regular elections enable the peaceful transfer of power from one leader or party to another, which is crucial for political stability and avoiding conflicts.
Qualities of a Good Leader:
- Integrity: Discuss why honesty and moral principles are vital for a leader. Encourage students to think about how a leader’s integrity can impact their decision-making and public trust.
- Empathy: Talk about the importance of understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of all citizens. A good leader should be able to empathize with diverse groups within society.
- Vision: Emphasize the need for leaders to have a clear vision for the future and the ability to inspire others to work towards that vision.
- Competence: Discuss the importance of having the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively govern and make informed decisions.
- Communication: Highlight the role of clear and effective communication in leadership. Leaders must be able to convey their ideas and policies to the public and listen to feedback.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: Exploring the Candidates
One of our most important responsibilities as social studies teachers is to make sure our kids know factual information about the candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. I wanted to make sure that my kids knew factual, non-biased information about the personal and professional lives of all 4 candidates. To absolutely ensure that the passages were bias-free, I did my own research and wrote biographical activities for Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Tim Walz, and JD Vance.
These resources offer detailed profiles of the key candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election. I incorporate these into my lessons in the weeks before the general election to help students understand the backgrounds, policies, and campaign platforms of each candidate.
Each resource includes:
- An informational reading passage
- Comprehension questions of varying difficulty, including explicit and inferential prompts
- Critical thinking questions to analyze what students have read
- A content-based vocabulary activity
- A fun coloring page
- A task card option for the comprehension questions
- Answer keys
Additional Activities and Strategies to Meet the Candidates:
- Candidate Research Projects: Assign students to small groups, each focusing on a different candidate. Have them research and present their findings to the class, highlighting the candidate’s biography, political experience, and key policy positions.
- Debate and Discussion: Organize classroom debates where students represent different candidates, arguing their viewpoints and discussing the merits and drawbacks of various policies.
- Voter Guides: Create simplified voter guides with the help of these resources. Students can use these guides to make informed decisions during your classroom’s mock election.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: iCivics
I absolutely love all things iCivics! iCivics offers free lesson plans and interactive games that teach students about the electoral process, the role of the president, and the importance of voting. Win the White House is an amazing, engaging game you can play with your class to help them process the steps of an election in a gamified format.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: Understanding the Electoral College
The Electoral College can be a challenging concept for students to grasp, but it is one of the most important aspects of American presidential elections. This Electoral College resource provides nonfiction reading materials and writing activities designed to clarify the Electoral College process and its role in the presidential election.
Students will learn about:
- Electoral Votes, including how the Electoral College vote works
- The 23rd Amendment
- The Constitutional Convention
- Faithless electors
- Why states have different numbers of electors
- The difference between the popular vote and the electoral vote
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Nonfiction Reading Passage
- Comprehension Questions – includes worksheet and task card options
- Critical Thinking Questions – students will apply their knowledge of the Electoral College
- Context Clues Vocabulary Activity
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: ICIVICS
The CrashCourse series on YouTube provides engaging video clips that explain the electoral process, the role of the Electoral College, and the importance of civic engagement.
TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM: Mock Elections
Conducting a mock election in the classroom is an excellent way to help students understand the voting process and the importance of civic participation. Students can take on the roles of presidential candidates, campaign managers, and voters. This hands-on activity not only teaches about the electoral process but also allows students to engage in critical thinking and public speaking.
Even More Ideas for Your Classroom Unit on Government and Elections
- Debates and Discussions: Organize mock debates where students represent different presidential candidates or political parties. This activity helps students develop their research skills, understand different political viewpoints, and practice public speaking. Following the debates, hold discussions where students can express their opinions and ask questions about the candidates’ platforms and the issues at stake. Want to debate something less intense? Your students can practice debate using a school issue they feel passionate about.
- Electoral College Simulation: Create a simulation of the Electoral College using a map of the United States and assigning electoral votes to each state. Students can then see how electoral votes are allocated and how they can influence the outcome of the election. This activity helps students understand the concept of swing states and the strategic importance of different states in the election.
- Interactive Whiteboard Activities: Utilize interactive whiteboard activities to engage students in learning about the election. For example, you can create a timeline of the presidential election process, including primary elections, national conventions, and election day. Interactive maps and graphs can also help students visualize electoral votes and voter turnout.
- Vocabulary Development: Incorporate vocabulary development into your lessons by introducing key terms related to the presidential election, such as electoral votes, political parties, democratic process, and civic responsibility. Use graphic organizers to help students organize and understand these terms in context.
- Encouraging Civic Engagement: Teaching students about the presidential election is not just about understanding the electoral process but also about fostering a sense of civic responsibility and the importance of participating in the democratic process. Encourage students to discuss current events, ask questions, and express their opinions. Create a safe space where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and engaging in respectful dialogue.
- CNN 10: This daily news program for students often covers election news and provides a straightforward explanation of current events, including the presidential campaign and election outcomes.
- Voting Rights: Do a deep dive into how voting rights have changed throughout U.S. history, including the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments.
The 2024 presidential election offers a unique opportunity for educators to engage students in the democratic process and help them understand the importance of civic participation. By utilizing a combination of resources, websites, engaging activities, and interactive tools, you can create a dynamic and informative learning experience that will inspire young people to become informed and active citizens.
Remember, the key to teaching presidential elections in the classroom is to make the content relevant and engaging for students. By using real-world examples, interactive activities, keeping their social emotional learning in mind, and a variety of resources, you can help your students develop a deep understanding of the presidential election process and the significance of their role in the democratic process.
The following resources are available in a money-saving bundle, which you can grab by clicking on the photo beneath this list:
Want to save this post for later? Click on the picture below and Pin this blog post to your favorite Pinterest board!
