Inform and motivate students to get involved in the democratic process with Web-based tools and resources. Education World has selected Web sites for grades K-12 that provide non-partisan, age-appropriate information about the 2004 presidential election, along with games, interactive tools, and a chance for students to participate by recording their votes. Check them out! Included: A baker's dozen sites where students can create their own campaign speeches, record their vote, compare opinions on issues, and more.
Election 2004 is being heralded as one of the most important in a generation. Inform and motivate students to get involved in the democratic process with these Web-based tools and resources.
Scholastic: Election 2004
With timely activities going back to September 2003, this site covers each step of the election process from primaries to life in the White House. Students in grades 1-12 can vote online, find out about the two major party candidates and their platforms, go on a voting scavenger hunt to learn more about the voting process, and read about the history of U.S. elections. Students also can give their input on which campaign issues concern them the most.
Election 2004 Templates
Education World has created easy to edit, complete, and printable templates for your 2004 presidential election activities. Templates for upper elementary, middle-, and high school students include an Electoral College Map, Electoral vote tally sheet, popular vote tally sheet, candidate position paper, and campaign timeline. Additional resources for this year's election can be found at Primaries, Voting, and Elections, Education World's updated list of various election sites and tools for the classroom!
Time For Kids: Election
In the Poll Zone, students can cast their vote on important campaign and voting issues, then check the next day to see where they stand compared to other students across the United States. Fact Files gives background information on the electoral process and on the candidates, while Campaign Games offers six interactive games with a good combination of educational and entertainment value. Regular news updates, as well as tools students can use to create their own speeches, slogans, and more are unique features of this site.
Project Vote Smart
This non-partisan site is "dedicated to upholding the ideal of democracy and serving the American people with unbiased and accurate information." The site provides comprehensive information on candidates for president, Congress, governor, and more, including voting records, campaign finances, interest group ratings, and so on. Helpful for background resources for any high school civics or current affairs classroom, this site's Current Candidates (Presidents) area is one of only a few sites that provides information on all candidates, not just the Democratic and Republican nominees.
National Student/Parent Mock Election
This site gives students the chance to have their voices heard; more than 10 million students, parents, and teachers participated in its last two presidential mock elections. Curriculum resources for elementary through high school classrooms, tools and resources for hosting your own Mock Election Day, and results from previous election votes are included. Schools or classrooms can participate simply by collecting paper ballots and phoning the results in, so don't let a lack of technology prevent you from participating.
Learn about more great sites for students, parents, and educators by visiting Education World's Site Reviews Archives.
Article by Lorrie Jackson
Education World®
Copyright © 2004 Education World
10/06/2004
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