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Presidential Election Studies- Woodrow for President!!

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I love this topic! The Presidential Election is such an exciting event to watch and to learn about, and to teach!  I have mentioned before, during Primary season,  that I have a close relative that is running for president of the United States this year.  Since he won the primaries, I figure I will be a little more open about it …   Yeah, Mitt Romney is my uncle. Crazy, eh?  It has been a huge part of my life this past year- and for my kids, too. My kids know all of the candidates names (from the primaries) and watched debates with me, too. They have learned so much about the whole process, and about our country because I have been actively involved in this campaign.  I have been able to attend a few exciting events, and at the end of this month I will be attending the Republican National Convention.  My husband and I, along with TONS of other family members have been invited to attend and be a part of this incredible, historic event.  What a great opportunity!!  I will share pictures and details when I return.

Now, on that subject, I am happy to share a lovely book today to help your kids learn about the elections.  Also, at the end of the post, I will share some other resources I have discovered to help study the election process.

I was so happy to be asked to review this book, since we are eagerly studying the elections anyways.  The book I get to review for you is Woodrow for President- A Tail of Voting, Campaigns, and Elections, by Peter W. Barnes, and Cheryl Shaw Barnes and published by Little Patriot Press.   (See here for the review on their other book, Liberty Lee’s Tail of Independence)  This is a children’s picture book for ages 5 and up.

Our Thoughts on the Book:

My kids and I enjoyed reading this book so much.  It is a darling story about the whole presidential election process, all written in rhymes.  It begins with Woodrow G. Washingtail and his life- growing up, getting good grades, serving his community, having a family, etc.  Then he begins running for local offices, and moves on up to eventually run for president of the entire mouse nation! It teaches all about the different parts of running- a campaign staff, political parties, (he is a member of the Bull Mouse party), primary elections, debates, national convention,  V.P, choice, general elections, registering to vote, inaugural address, the White House, and more!  I love how it takes the time to define different terms so kids can understand them.  I also really loved how it encouraged volunteering and helping in your community.  It also really stresses the importance of voting and supporting what you believe.  Since it is an election year, it’s a great book to find & read to your kids!!

At the end of the book they have several pages of resources for parents and teachers.  This has many ways to take the book to another level in teaching.  It teaches more about various topics like- serving in your community, political campaigns, primaries and caucuses, inagurations day, and lots more.  You could really spend a long time on all of these topics and mkae it into a unit study.

At the “Tail End”  they have a Contract to Vote between America’s children and adults.  It is a contract that children and parents can sign saying that they will be responsible citizens and vote in all elections, and children will register to vote @ age 18, and vote when they can.  What a great idea!!

About the Authors:

Peter and Cheryl Barnes are a husband and wife team.  They have written and illustrated several books, including House Mouse, Senate Mouse, and Woodrow the Whitehouse Mouse.  Peter is a journalist and broadcaster adn Cheryl is an illustrator and architect.

I received this book through TLC Book Tours for free in exchange for my honest opinon.  I was not compensated in any other way.

Resources to Study the Presidential Election:

  • CSpan Classroom is giving away a free Electoral College Map Poster, that they will mail to you- or you can print one from the site.  We received ours in the mail and it is incredilbe.  We have already studied it a little and can’t wait to pull it out more closer to the elections. They also have some lessons on their site that you can use.
  • The Homeschool Mom has a Free Election A to Z Unit study
  • LaCelle Family Ministries has a great list of books about the presidential elections
  • A helpful website for teaching about government- Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids.
  • PBS Kids has a Zoom out the Vote site to teach kids about the elections and let them vote.
  • Make a ballot box and hold mock elections with your kids or class.
  • Learn vocabulary about the elections and government
  • Learn about past presidents
  • Write to local or national government officials about important issues
  • Visit the polling places
  • Lead by example- GET OUT and VOTE!!

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