Voting and Elections 101
Read Aloud Videos
Approximately 15 minutes
These are recorded video read “alouds” of widely available picture books that can also be read during an in-person story time. These stories elicit discussion with young learners and are entertaining for both readers and listeners. They have ads at the start, so queue or view ahead of time.
One Vote, Two Vote
In One Vote, Two Vote, the Cat in the Hat looks at how we vote, why we vote, and who we vote for in a rhyming book that introduces early learners to the concept and practice of voting. There is a focus on the American presidency and basic principles of democracy.
Duck For President
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4eXDvpdbYM
Duck decides life on the farm is too hard, so he runs for higher office. And higher office. And higher office. Because he’s all about change & avoiding farm chores.
Sesame Street Clips
Approximately 15 minutes
These are video clips from the beloved children’s television show Sesame Street. They have ads ahead of them, so queue or view ahead of time.
The word “vote” (1:56)
https://youtu.be/clwNdZggYcI?si=o43zJApzsXGYPQEZ
From episode 4310 (November 2, 2012), characters define and demonstrate what it is to “vote.” Features Steve Carrell, Abby, and Elmo voting on a snack.
Election Day on Sesame Street (6:36)
https://youtu.be/uMhT_TDw3C4?si=bcGLf2aUbOHaBVGs
From episode 1957 (May 8, 1984), Big Bird sees signs along Sesame Street and tries to find out what is going on. There is an explanation of elections, voting, privacy, and age and registration requirements.
My Vote Counts
Approximately 30-45 minutes
https://illinois.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ac22-sel-myvotecounts-lp/my-vote-counts-lesson-plan-arthur/
Using two clips from the Marc Brown’s “Arthur” series on PBS, this guide leads through talks about why we vote and the types of things that are decided in by elections. It’s a great tool for introducing the concept of voting. As a call to action appropriate for this age group, discussion encourages kids to talk to their parents about voting, including to “make a plan” ahead of an election.
Grades 3-5
Voting Matters
Approximately 20-40 minutes
https://www.icivics.org/sites/default/files/VotingMatters_2019.pdf
An organizer from iCivics that may be projected or copied onto paper for individual copies; this activity encourages students to think about four aspects of voting: 1) Why voting matters, 2)Decisions voters make, 3) Who can vote, and 4) When, where, why, and how. Students will learn about how registration and voting works in their state and create a flyer to share with someone in their life.
Voting! What’s it all about?
Approximately 50 minutes
https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/voting-what-about#ResourceTabs4
Read, Write, Think suggests selections to read with students and provides for age-appropriate discussion and project opportunities. The plan is simple, substantive, and easily adapted and could be scaled up or down for other grades.
Grades 6-12
Becoming a Voter
Approximately 50 minutes, may be expanded
https://www.civiced.org/voting-lessons/lesson-becoming-a-voter
This lesson from the Center for Civic Education is a step-by-step guide for using local election resources to discuss voting registration rules and procedures in your state. Students learn when and how to register, how to complete a voter registration form, and when and how to reregister.
Poll Worker Simulation
Approximately 30 minutes, may be expanded across 2-3 days
https://www.civiced.org/voting-lessons/a-simulated-election
This lesson from the Center for Civic Education may be shared via paper handouts or projector, and centers around a map of a polling place as a visual for discussion. Students learn about the mechanics of voting in their state. There are opportunities to broaden discussion from procedures of voting to deeper analysis of example ballots, candidates, issues, voting rights in their state. There are opportunities to hold a class-wide or school-wide election.
Cast Your Vote
Approximately 50 minutes, may be expanded
https://www.icivics.org/node/2190/resource
iCivics at its heart does engaging games, and this is one. This requires computer access for each student. There is a lesson plan to facilitate more involved discussions of learning about candidates and issues. Appropriate for middle or high school.
Voting Rights and the Constitution
Approximately 90-120 minutes, may be expanded
https://constitutioncenter.org/education/classroom-resources-by-topic/voting-rights
The National Constitution Center offers a menu of options for devoting a class period or learning module to voting rights. Lessons center on voting rights and constitutional amendments, as well as contemporary constitutional tensions and voting access. Includes a (recorded) virtual class with New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie.