Librarian
Electronic Resources for Teachers
- 2016 Campaign -- CNN politicsGreat resource for up to date polls, news articles, and electoral map updates. Information from the primaries is still up. The amount of information may be overwhelming for students but good for background for teachers.
- Citizens, Not SpectatorsLesson Plans written by the Center for Civic Education about voting and elections. Specific to Elementary, Middle, and High school students.
- Elections: Everything You Need (from Scholastic)This collection of election resources originally created for the 2012 election includes lesson plans, activities, and printables. Most of the resources are generic and/or could be modified for the 2016 election.
- Free Electoral Map poster (from C-SPAN)A great classroom resource -- sign up to receive a free Electoral Map poster from C-SPAN.
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American HistoryA group of lesson plans centered on American Government and Civics. Some are directly related to the electoral process. Although some are for older students, they may be able to be modified.
- PBS NewsHour ExtraPBS NewsHour has archived several resources about the 2016 election including videos and lesson plans. Many of the lesson plans are written for grades 7-12, so they may need to be modified for younger students.
- The Presidential Election (rap)An overview of the presidential election process on Flocabulary. Clicking on the "Lyric Notes" tab offers links to further information. Other tabs link to a quiz, lesson plan, and teacher guide.
- Primaries, Voting, and ElectionsA collection of Lesson plans, Internet sites, and curriculum ideas focused on election and the electoral process. Lesson plans are aligned to National standards.
- Step-by-Step on the Campaign TrailA text-heavy website explaining the process of electing a president from campaigning to voting. Vocabulary words (primary, Constitution, Congress, convention) are linked to definitions and articles. If students are not up for so much reading, this is a good teacher resource (and it is linked in both areas).
- Voter Registration RulesA state by state description of voting requirements. Includes updated information and recent changes. Vote.org is a nonpartisan group which endeavors to "increase voter turnout and strengthen American democracy."
- Who Can & Can't Vote in US Elections?A resource developed by the U.S. Government to inform voters of their eligibility.
Electronic Resources to Share with Students
- Congress for KidsSections covering a variety of pieces of the electoral process: Election Day, voting, conventions, candidates, etc. Each section has an interactive piece.
- The Democracy ProjectAn interactive website by PBS covering the pieces of the electoral process. Currently, there is still information specific to the 2012 election. Hopefully, it will be updated with the candidates for 2016.
- Democrats & Republicans (song)A song explaining the differences between the Democrat and Republican parties. The lyrics are footnoted with further information.
- Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College explained - Christina GreerAn animated TED Ed video explaining how the Electoral College is used to elect the president.
- Electoral College (song)A song about the Electoral College. The lyrics are included, and footnotes offer more detail.
- How the Electoral College WorksAnother short video explaining the Electoral College works. This goes into more detail than the TED-Ed video, Does Your Vote Count?
- The Presidential Election (rap)An overview of the presidential election process on Flocabulary. Clicking on the "Lyric Notes" tab offers links to further information. Other tabs link to a quiz, lesson plan, and teacher guide.
- Step-by-Step on the Campaign TrailA text-heavy website explaining the process of electing a president from campaigning to voting. Vocabulary words (primary, Constitution, Congress, convention) are linked to definitions and articles. If students are not up for so much reading, this is a good teacher resource (and it is linked in both areas).
Non-Fiction Print Resources
The buck stops here : the presidents of the United States by Call Number: 973.022 ProvensenPublication Date: 1997Detailed pictures present both personal and political facts about the Presidents of the United States and some historical events occurring during their terms.
If I Ran for President by Call Number: 324.7 StierPublication Date: 2007Several children imagine what it would be like to run for U.S. president, thinking about the fun parts, such as appearing on T-shirts and bumper stickers, and the work, including studying the nation's problems and debating issues.
Reading grade level: 5.5 Interest grade level: K-3
Running for Office by Call Number: 324 DonovanPublication Date: 2004Describes what is involved in running a political campaign, from deciding to run for office through election night.
Reading grade level: 5.2 Interest grade level: 5-8
See How They Run by Call Number: 324.973 GoodmanPublication Date: 2008Provides a short history of Democracy, explains the process by which presidential campaigns are conducted, and discusses why citizens should exercise their right to vote.
Reading grade level: 6.1 Interest grade level: 3-6
You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? by Call Number: Early Literacy Yellow Bin WPublication Date: 1999A biography of suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton from her childhood, to her fight for the end of slavery, to her death 18 years before women were granted the right to vote.
Reading grade level: 6.6 Interest grade level: 5-8
Fiction Print Resources
Duck for President by Call Number: E CroninPublication Date: 2004-03-02When Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown, his political ambition eventually leads to his being elected President.
Reading grade level: 3.3 Interest grade level: K-3
Grace for President by Call Number: E DiPucchioPublication Date: 2008After finding out there has never been a female U.S. president, Grace decides to run in her school's mock election, where she learns about the American electoral system and sets out to be the best person for the job even though her opponent, Thomas, seems to be winning all the boys' votes.
Reading Level: 2.0 Interest Level: K-3
If I Were the President by Call Number: Online (see access instructions in description)Publication Date: 2012Explains what it would be like to have the job as president of the United States.
Reading grade level: K-3 Interest grade level: K-3.
Lillian's Right to Vote by Call Number: E WinterPublication Date: 2015As an elderly woman, Lillian recalls that her great-great-grandparents were sold as slaves in front of a courthouse where only rich white men were allowed to vote, then the long fight that led to her right--and determination--to cast her ballot since the Voting Rights Act gave every American the right to vote.
Reading grade level: 3.9 Interest grade level: K-3
Madam President by Call Number: E SmithPublication Date: 2008-07-29A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were President of the United States.
Reading grade level: 3.6 Interest grade level: K-3
The Remarkable Farkle McBride by Call Number: E LithgowPublication Date: 2000The musical prodigy Farkle McBride tries a number of instruments before discovering that conducting the orchestra makes him happy.
Reading grade level: 4.2 Interest grade level: K-3
Woodrow for President by Call Number: E BarnesPublication Date: 2012Follows Woodrow G. Washingtail from his birth, through a lifetime of civic and community service, to the office of President of the United Mice of America.
Reading Level: 5.4 Interest Level: K-3
Woodrow, the White House Mouse by Call Number: E BarnesPublication Date: 1998The rooms and furnishings of the White House are featured through the story of Woodrow G. Washingtail, a mouse who is elected President of the United Mice of America and moves into the historic mansion along with the people's president.
Reading grade level: 2.5 Interest grade level: K-3
