Teaching About the 2020 Election

Election years provide a wealth of real-life materials for your Social Studies classroom. Election years allow your students to see the election process in action. Everything that we teach our students about the government plays out in real time. While it can be exciting to watch, it’s important to remember that it can be a very divisive topic. It is CRUCIAL to remember that as an educator you must remain neutral when teaching about the election and present only facts.

What information should be covered?

·      The basic voting process of the United States

·      The two-party system

·      FACTS about each candidate

·      The Electoral College

 

Lessons should definitely continue AFTER the election. As a class you can:

·      Complete an electoral college map (incorporate into math)

·      Which states added add up to a victory?

·      How would it have been different if certain states voted a different direction?

 

Looking for a complete print AND digital unit for teaching about the election? Check out the Presidential 2020 Election No-Prep Unit. This engaging unit can be used in your Math, Reading, and Social Studies classroom!

 

 

 

Teaching About the Presidential Election

I love election years! There is almost too much stuff for me to cover in my allotted time for Social Studies. I try to carry over some of the election material into our Language Arts and Reading block. How do we start our unit on the election? I usually try to make sure that I teach our unit on leaders before I start our election unit. Teaching about leaders is the perfect lead into the election unit. I have an Election 2016 Presentation that I use with the class. This presentation is a great review of when the elections are held and who is currently in the office.

We then move on to talk about the different major two parties and the two party nominees. It is extremely important to check your feelings about the candidates at the door. Your students should have no clue about your presidential preference. I always stress that the right to vote is confidential, while at the same time encouraging my students to talk about the election and the candidates at home. I only teach my students the facts ABOUT the candidates, never about the candidates’ stances on issues. Those are conversations that should be left at home. My job in the classroom is to give basic factual information (biographical) and to inform my students on the election process.

We also talk about the electoral college. This concept is sometimes a little tricky for grownups too. It makes for a great math lesson though!

The Election 2016 Unit has tons of activities that keep my students engaged while learning about the election process. My students love taking home their lapbooks full of information to share with parents!

Election 2016 Unit – No Prep

Or, you can find both the unit and presentation together in a BUNDLE!

Election 2016 BUNDLE