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"The right to vote is arguably one of the most important rights of citizenship in a democratic country, yet a substantial number of U.S. citizens choose not to exercise that right," states the introduction to the latest report on voter turnout from the U.S. Census Bureau. In the classroom, teachers this fall have a unique opportunity to teach about elections and the election process, current issues, the importance of making informed decisions, and the importance of voting. Education World offers these teaching activities to help achieve those goals. (Be sure to see additional activities in our Election, Primaries, and Voting archive.) Included: Math, drama, art, role-playing activities, and more to take advantage of this ultimate in "teachable moments"!

Nationwide, about 3 million fewer voters participated in the elections in 1998 than in 1994, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Voting and Registration report. Turnout by the voting-age population was down from 45 percent to 42 percent in that same period.

Why the decline? Were the candidates uninspiring? Were there no issues that motivated people to vote? For sure, the excitement of a campaign -- or the lack of it -- can affect voter turnout. But more important than a convention or a candidate or a campaign in determining voter turnout is the effort an individual makes to learn about the candidates and the issues.

This week, Education World offers ten activities to help young Americans understand the importance of exercising that right to vote. You will find activities for teaching about a wide range of election topics, including the political process, election campaigning, the Electoral College, and the famous election of 1876!

If you missed the ten activities we published a couple of weeks ago, be sure to see Election 2004: Classroom Activities.

Following is a list of this week's new activities. Click on the lesson headline below to access a complete teaching resource! (Notations in parentheses indicate approximate grade levels for each activity.)

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Election: Editorial Cartoons
  Create an editorial cartoon "museum" in your classroom; let students explore the many meanings of those cartoons and create cartoons of their own. (3-12)

• Meet the Press
  Students play the roles of candidate, campaign manager, and journalist in this activity. (6-12)

• Presidential Eligibility
  Could Ricky Martin be elected president? Sammy Sosa? Steven Spielberg? Students learn what requirements determine who can and can't run for president. (3-12)

• Your Vote Counts!
  Students build an election campaign around their favorite TV characters! (Pre-K-2)

• The Presidential Campaign Game
  Students experience the workings of the political process and what it takes to manage a political campaign. (9-12)

• The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity
  Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign. (9-12)

• Reading the Election Results
  Students read a chart that shows the results of the 1996 presidential election. (3-12)

• Track the Polls
  Students track poll results before Election Day. (6-12)

• Electoral Versus Popular Vote
  Students learn the workings of the Electoral College with this simple activity. (K-8)

Article by Lois Lewis, Linda Starr, & Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2004 Education World

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