Homeschool: Election Unit Study

Ballot Box with Ballot
Here is what we are doing on our "week off". I have always like the idea of unit studies and I think I may be able to incorporate them on our "off" times of school. Maybe as I get more comfortable with them , I can use them more and more. With the election coming up, there are so many resources to be found on elections, voting, our judicial system, etc... so that is what we are doing. An Election Unit Study!

The following links are some of the resources we will be using. We went to a library program regarding elections. They went through the voting process, including the primaries, the electoral college, etc.... We are using some of the worksheets that were passed out there. I have also made it a point to take the kids with me to the voting place.

This link shows the electoral college map for every presidential election dating back to 1789!

Here is a printable electoral college map that your children can color in as the votes come in.

We reserved this movie from the library. It goes over the election process.

Updated to add this link: You can watch video clips from C-Span Classroom that can enhance learning about the branches of government, politics, etc... You just have to sign up as a teacher and you will receive emails when new video clips are added. You can watch as many or as little as you want.

More C-SPAN resources on this issue.

The next links are printables for some of the younger children.

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/schoolroom/elections.php

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/election/activities.shtml

http://www.readinga-z.com/theme/election08.html

After gathering your resources (for any unit study), you can use this handy form for record keeping. In my state, I keep a portfolio and this little form fits in the portfolio real nice!

We are really looking forward to this! I'll have to let you know how it goes! I may add more links to this post as I find more :o)