Presidental Elections/U.S. Govt suggestions?

Hi. I'd like to for my kids to learn more about the upcoming presidential election and all that it encompasses. I want them to do an in-depth study on U.S. government, presidents, political parties, branches of govt, etc...

Does anyone have any suggestions for resources? My kids are 9 and 12. I do have the "Ämerica the Story of Us" DVDs and a membership to the National Constitution Center (Philadelphia), but very little else.

Thanks,
Michelle

 

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/index.html This is young, but you may be able to adapt it?

 

Shelle....look at the kites in the upper right hand corner....it has hifpgher grade levels.

And 2littleboys....thanks for the reminder of this resource!!!!

 

You can get some free resources from CSPAN. They have an electoral college map that can be ordered or downloaded. They also have lesson plans on how the college works.

We used it in conjunction with "A Noble Experiment" from Zeezok Publishing. It is on video and has lesson plans and covers the Constitution. If you are just wanting to do the election process you can cut out the history of the COnstitution and not cover the Bill of RIghts as well as the other amendments.

I have to say that I thought "A Noble Experiment" was more time than I wanted to spend and I had to redo some of the organizaiton but the overall curriculum was very informative. It is also taught from a Christian point of view.

HTH's.

Kim

 

Have you ever done Lapbooking?

http://www.currclick.com/product/22180/Presidential-Election-Process-Lapbook-K-5th-Grade?it=1

http://www.knowledgeboxcentral.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=250

 

Thanks! I am going through all of your suggestions now (during commercials while watching the Olympics)!

 

How did I never notice those little kites before?!?! :lol:

 

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett has an entire 4 week study devoted just to Elections and then in January she will be releasing another 4 week study on Inaugurations. We will be incorporating those into our Government studies.

She's been doing a lot of sales this summer, so based on her pattern this summer I would bet big time (if I were a betting woman. ) that the Elections study will go on sale at the beginning of November.

I'm looking forward to studying them at the same time it is actually happening in our country.

 

oh! And Freedom Project Education has two different DVDs, each for $5, that are a neat presentation. One covers history of presidents (each president in one minute) and the other is the Principles of the Constitution (9 part series). They aren't super in depth, but fun to watch. Well, I can't say for the Constitution one, it actually looks a little more in depth than the Presidents one. I watched a few pieces of the President DVD at convention this spring.

 

Thanks! This is EXACTLY what I had in mind!

 

I had to dig this thread back up, because I just saw this morning that Amanda Bennett has all things Government on sale this week! This is a really great price ($25) for 5 Unit Studies, including the unreleased Inaugurations study. If you want to buy them separately, they are on sale that way as well.

 

I've just found the website http://www.icivics.org/ we are including that in our homeschool this year.