As the leaves change and autumn sets in, so too does the season of elections. It’s a time when questions about our government and the electoral process naturally bubble to the surface. To quench the curiosity of young minds and provide them with a peek into our US government, here are some of my favorite election day activities for elementary students. These election day activities aren’t just about learning; they’re about kindling the flames of active citizenship and planting the seeds of leadership.
Imagine a classroom abuzz with excitement as students take part in mock elections, explore the journey to the White House, and uncover fascinating presidential facts. These fun and educational reading comprehension units can be seamlessly integrated into in-class votes or school elections, providing a hands-on experience that fosters a deep understanding of the electoral process. The carefully selected fiction mentor texts and reading activities focus on voting and being elected, presented in a simple and engaging manner that enhances student comprehension. Let’s take a closer look at the books in my week of election day activities for elementary students!
Duck for President
This fiction mentor text is about Duck who is tired of doing his chores around the farm and decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown. When he wins, Duck quickly realizes that running a farm is too much work and decides to run for governor and eventually ends up running the country.
Take a closer look at this Duck for President unit by clicking the image or the link above. You can also purchase a copy of this book here in my Amazon storefront.
Grace for President
This mentor text is about a girl named Grace who decides she wants to be the nation’s first female president and begins her political journey by running in her school’s mock election! The race is tougher than she expected. This story not only gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system but also teaches the value of hard work, courage, and offers a wonderful example of how to choose our leaders.
Take a closer look at these Grace for President activities by clicking the image or the link above. You can also purchase a copy of this book here in my Amazon store.
P is for President
This fiction mentor text is about being President of the United States of America. Throughout the story, students follow the President as he or she campaigns, runs, moves into the White House, and works to fix problems. Learn about previous presidents, and see what it takes to be president.
Click on the image or the link below to take a closer look at the P is for President Unit. You can also purchase a copy of this book here in my Amazon store.
Splat the Cat for President
This fiction mentor text is about the famous Splat the Cat as he is elected as the student body president. Splat is excited until he discovers not everyone likes his plans. He struggles with making promises he cannot keep. Will Splat be able to make everyone happy and also make a difference?
Check out this Splat the Cat for President unit by clicking the image or the link above. You can also purchase a copy of this book here in my Amazon store.
Fly Guy Presents: The White House
This mentor text features two familiar book characters, Fly Guy and Buzz, as they visit the White House. This story is kid-friendly, with great photographs throughout. Your students will love learning about the presidents and their famous home.
Take a closer look at this Fly Guy Presents: The White House unit by clicking the image or the link above. You can also purchase a copy of this book here in my Amazon store.
You can purchase and download the resources by clicking on the images and links above, or they are all included in my Election Day Reading Comprehension Bundle available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Individual book units can be purchased by clicking the links above and are also available for purchase here on my website shop. You can also purchase any of the books mentioned above in my Amazon storefront using the links above. (As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
These units are part of my Guided Reading with a Purpose Curriculum that I’ve put together to be a meaningful way of practicing reading comprehension skills while diving into engaging literature with students. Each of my units is packed with comprehension activities as well as fun crafts, writing prompts, discussion questions, and even home connection materials. Click to read more about Guided Reading with a Purpose and download a free preview.
The comprehension focus for these Election Day activities for elementary students was Asking & Answering Questions. You can read more about the questioning strategies I use with these units in my previous blog post, “Using Questioning Strategies to Increase Reading Comprehension.”
What are your favorite election day activities? Please feel free to leave a comment and share them below!
As always, feel free to reach out with questions, suggestions or just to connect!
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