Teaching During the Presidential Election

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There is no better place than a social studies classroom to get students talking about the world they live in. This year, the November 3rd election will be one off the liveliest elections in recent history... so get your students involved!!

When it's presidential election season, I start by having a countdown every day to let students know how many more days we have until election day.

I teach 8th graders, and they are either 4-5 years away from being able to vote, but they are at the age where they are starting to see the bigger picture in life, and understand that who is president can have an enormous influence on the world in which they live .

This 2020 Presidential Debates resource will help your students become active listeners to both sides of the political spectrum.  There are four debates scheduled between now and election day, so find a way to make this a part of the lives of your students.  Offer extra credit... have a raffle for a candy bar...  a free late assignment... whatever it takes - just get them involved!

​Once you've got the hooked, then let then see who they would vote for based on skimming the surface of 10 Mystery Candidates backgrounds.  Once we do this in class, the next step is to understand how a president is actually elected.   

Now, there's this.  I've been teaching for over 20 years, and I've never had a student NOT play the electoral college game that I made.  To be honest, years ago, I came up with this idea out of desperation as to how I was going to make learning about the electoral college fun for kids.  Then, and now... it's neve let me down!  

You'll hear cries of, "Yessss!  I just won California!"  Or, "Arghhh... how could I lose Texas?"

It is, literally, one of my favorite days of the year!  

If you are new to social studies this year due to COVID-19 and had a role  change or if you are just looking for new ways to get your students involved in the political process.  I hope these resources help.  Enjoy them, and have a great election season!

Check out these other presidential resources if you're interested.

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All the best,
Matt @ Surviving Social Studies

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