1-2-3 Come Do Some Election Activities With Me

When it comes to election activities, it's often hard to find something quick, easy & fun that's age-appropriate for early elementary.  I basically wanted something simple to help my students become familiar with the 2016 Presidential candidates.

With that in mind, I designed 3 election-themed craftivities that I think your students will really enjoy. They are featured in this blog article, along with today's special FREEBIE.

First up is a Presidential Candidate Slider, which is easy enough for preschoolers, and still appropriate for kindergarten and 1st grade as well.

Simply pick one of two star options, or give your students a choice.

They color and trim, then insert their "slider" which features the 4 presidential candidates for the 2016 election.

I've included black and white patterns for students to color, as well as colorful templates, so that you can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

When everyone is done, review the names of the candidates by pulling the portraits of the 4 nominees through the star "window".

You could also go over the party that they are affiliated with, as well as their Vice Presidential running mates.

Afterwards, check comprehension by calling out a name, party or running mate; students slide the matching picture to the window, then hold up their star.

You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.  Next up is a versatile writing prompt craft I call the "Democracy Dangler". 

There are many options for putting this  craft together. 
Children can simply choose the candidate that they are going to vote for in your school’s mock election, or the candidate that they would vote for if they were 18.

They can pick the full-page large oval or the smaller, 2-on-a-page version.

Writing Prompt Options: On the back older students write the reasons why they support that candidate, reasons why they are going to vote for that nominee or the things that they like about that person.

Students could also pick 2 candidates, glue these ovals back-to-back then complete a comparison-contrast writing prompt which they’d write on the back of the “Election 2016” square. OR …

Children feature all 4 candidates in the order that they like them, the top one being the one that they will be voting for, then write factual information on the back of each oval, or things they like and dislike about each candidate.

Ovals can be glued on a length of yarn or patriotic ribbon, with a loop at the top for hanging,

I’ve also included real photograph-ovals of each candidate which you can use:
* to introduce your lesson,
* help explain things,
* test for comprehension of who that nominee is, and/or
* use for a display.

Completed projects look awesome dangling from the ceiling, as a border along a hallway wall.  I’ve included a “Hanging Out With The Candidates” poster you can use for your display as well.

Finally, the "Flip For Facts" writing prompt craft, is a nice introduction to doing research, and practicing technology skills, and is wonderfully simple!

Students can practice their research skills and find X number of facts (I ask for 3), about each candidate via books, magazines, newspapers or on the Internet.

Older kiddos can cite their sources on the back.

I’ve also included some general biographical and campaign information on all 4 candidates that you can share with your students as well.
These can be read as non-fiction passages for older students.

Run off the pattern, which children fold over, color and snip to create “flaps” for “flipping”.
Underneath they write their “bulleted” facts.

Give students a star sticker to place on their favorite candidate.
When everyone is done, have students share their “flipper flapper” with the class, telling one interesting fact that they found.

Besides the BW template for students to color, I’ve also included a pattern in color, as well as a completed set of facts, so that you can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board too.
I’ve included 2 patriotic posters for the center of your display. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is a 40-page, election-themed number packet, which practices a variety of math standards suitable for PK-1st.

Well that's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

My granddaughter is celebrating her 2nd birthday this week, so it's time to do some shopping. 

Wishing you a carefree and happy-go-lucky kind of day. 

"Age is strickly mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it don't matter." -Jack Benny