WebJunction - Kids Stuff - Elections & Legislation

Kids Stuff - Elections & Legislation

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Current funding for the Gi21 program ended on September 30, 2008 and the information found in the program modules is up-to-date as of December 31, 2008. To facilitate use of the modules from now till the future continuation of the program, new documents can be posted from each module and sub-module main pages and the community discussions are open. However the main module pages and documents will not be updated. If you have any questions, please contact Kirsten Clark.

This module covers resources on elections, legislation and the political process for kids and teens. It includes information on how elections work, important U.S. documents, how laws are made, the President, House of Representatives, and the Senate.

Contents

Key Resources

Ben's Guide to the Election Process (Grades 3-12)
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/election/index.html
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/election/index.html
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/index.html
Grade-specific information on the election process of the U.S. President and Vice President, senators, and representatives.
Elections...the American Way
American Memory, Library of Congress
http://learning.loc.gov/learn/features/election/home.html
Part of "The Learning Page" from the Library of Congress, this interactive experience allows learners to see how elections work and have changed over the years.
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
The National Archives
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/
This site provides digital images of 100 milestone documents, such as the Declaration of Independence,Constitution of the United States,and the Bill of Rights.
Kids in the House
Office of the Clerk
http://clerkkids.house.gov/
Students can learn about the activities of the Clerk and Congress, as well as explore the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, through this interactive site. Kids can also learn how laws are made.
Presidents of the United States
The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/index.html
This site provides presidential facts, biographies and history for kids of all ages.
Teaching With Documents: Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
The National Archives
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/separation-powers/
Contains sample activities for teaching lessons on the three branches of government.
White House Kids
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/
Introduces young citizens to the history and special traditions associated with the White House through photos, videos, quizzes and games.

Additional Resources

National Student/Parent Mock Election
http://www.nationalmockelection.org/
The Mock Election seeks to show youth and their parents the importance of participating in American democracy through voting.
I'm Just a Bill
Schoolhouse Rock!
http://www.school-house-rock.com/Bill.html
Educational short film and song about the process it takes for a bill to become a law.

Related Resources

Elections & the Political Process