Seven books for the classroom during election season
Election season is here and teachers will be finding ways to teach their students about the election process and encourage them to develop leadership skills and take the initiative to one day vote themselves.
This November, introduce students to these seven books that will teach them about the American political system and its history, women's rights, what it takes to run for office, unusual facts, and more.
- Election!: A Kid's Guide to Picking Our President by Dan Gutman: In this book, Amazon says readers can learn about the American political system, "reaching through history from the days of the founding fathers to today's voting system. Even grown-ups will find something in here that they've never learned before."
- The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman: This book follows Gutman's other book, "Election!: A Kid's Guide to Picking Our President." Amazon says, "Can you picture a kid as President? Imagine what we can accomplish, together, in a country where parents listen. Where teachers give no homework. Where every lawmaker obeys a single kid -- me! How am I going to pull this off? Who knows! Read the book to find out."
- The Ballot Box Battle by Emily Arnold McCully: This book follows, "a stirring tale of a young girl's act of bravery inspired by the great Elizabeth Cady Stanton," says Amazon. Reflecting on women's suffrage,"charged with the story's message, Cordelia determines to go with Mrs. Stanton to the polls in an attempt to vote--above the jeers and taunts of the male crowd."
- My Teacher for President by Kay Winters: Amazon says, "Oliver has been learning about the president's job, and his teacher would be the perfect candidate. She loves white houses, she's used to being followed everywhere, she attends lots of meetings, she finds jobs for people, and she believes in peace. Images of Oliver's teacher depicted during a typical school day are contrasted with scenes of his heroine carrying out presidential duties."
- Duck for President by Doreen Cronin: In this book, students can read about "a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land."
- Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts by Syl Sobel J.D.: In this book, Amazon says, "Young readers will be fascinated by attention-catching facts as they read about major presidential campaigns, from George Washington's election in 1789 to Barack Obama's victory in 2008. Questions answered include: Who can run for president? ... Who can vote? ... What is the Electoral College? ... What is a third-party candidate?"
- See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman: "Using witty anecdotes and clear explanations, acclaimed writer Susan E. Goodman takes readers from the birth of democracy to the Electoral College; from front porch campaigning to hanging chads."
Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor