Now, more than ever, is the time to educate our children about our government, constitution, and the election process. And the 2012 election year is the prime opportunity for parents to bring this study into their homeschooling. Call it Current Events, Civics, American Government, Social Studies, Political Science, or basic life skills, it is key in raising children to be responsible, active, and knowledgeable citizens of the United States.
A study of this topic can be as simple as reading some fun and educational books about the election process and accompanying parents to the polls during the primaries and general election or completing a full unit study. The unit study can include a lapbook, a set of notebooking pages, or a series of hands-on activities and fieldtrips to government offices after completing a research paper.
Here are some suggested resources and possible fieldtrips to get you started in your study of the 2012 elections and the election process:
Activities To Do
Make Your ABC Book About … The 2012 Presidential Election
A fun and educational way to assist your child in writing his own ABC book about the election process or the 2012 presidential election covering the current candidates for the Republican primary and current issues being discussed in the daily news and by all of the candidates.
Free lapbook about the Election Process
Free lapbook about the Presidential Election Process (some reference to 2008)
Presidential Activities for Kids
Special Free Electoral College Map Poster and Activities from C-Span
Informative Websites
Election Process for Federal Executive and Congressional Offices
Election Process and Explanations of Electoral College
Background information on all issues and all Candidates including President Obama
Fieldtrip Ideas
(get a small group of fellow homeschoolers together and arrange a tour.Ten, including moms, is a good number for uppper elementary and above for this.) Town Halls can be very interesting to the younger children with a retelling of the town’s history and interesting anecdotes.
North Carolina Executive Mansion
Executive Mansion website with informational links and learning ideas
Senator Kay Hagan Raleigh Office
North Carolina General Assembly
Visit your local Town Hall
Share any ideas or websites you recommend for learning about the election process!
Comments