Last night, I was reminded that the elections are swiftly approaching. Two candidates visited our itty bitty city, and traffic was outrageous when the rally let out. I’m telling you, friends. I was stuck at a light behind ten cars FOR.EVER. Literally, at least a half and hour. I have never seen so many cop cars in my entire life! I felt like I was in a video for Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” for a minute. Is that lame?! I know it’s totally a different context… but I seriously had a mild case of radio brain at that moment. “Flashing lights… lights… lights… lights.” Okay, I’m done. I promise!
Anywho… I live in Ohio… and since we are a bellweather state… we typically are bombarded with campaign ads… and the candidate clamor for votes with lots and lots of rallies. It’s nothing new. It just happened to be the first time I’ve ever gotten stuck in traffic because of it. I’m not gonna lie, it was a really neat experience to see how the cops block of traffic and surround the caravan. Total Crazy Town… but soooo neat. Oh the joys of living near an airport! 🙂
Over the summer, I decided to revamp my old election unit, so I emailed Scrappin’ Doodles about creating clip art. 🙂 I LOVE their stuff! Of course, it took a little longer than I hoped it would to complete that project, so while I was impatiently patiently waiting, I whipped up Shout All About America: Classroom Elections for Kiddos using patriotic clip art that I already had! I decided to put it out early enough to give teachers time to prepare for elections, but now I am happy to announce that I have made a few changes! The election clip art is finally finished… and now I am 100% happy with the unit. Like, sooooo satisfied. 🙂 If you’ve already downloaded the file, you’ll want to go back in to check out the updates. Some of the posters have more election-specific clip art, but the content has remained the same. 🙂 Details make a world of a difference sometimes, don’t you think!? Every item in my entire store can be for 20% off through SUNDAY. If you act fast, you may even be able to snap this 110 page file up for 50% off until 5:00 P.M. today (EST time). Don’t worry though… if you miss out on the 50% off deal, you can still pick it up for 20% off through tomorrow night. 🙂
The following Halloween units are also on sale for 50% off through 5 PM (EST time) TODAY only. If you stumble upon this later or tomorrow… you can still get them for 20% off! 😉 I hope this helps make planning a little easier with regards to time & finances too! Click on the pictures to be taken to each product page. 🙂
Lastly, next week we will be reading “A Day’s Work” by Eve Bunting. I created this file over the summer to use with a child I was tutoring as part of my Master’s course work. 🙂 I hope you can use this FREEBIE! 🙂 Click the photo to snag a copy!
Amanda,
I am super inspired after reading through your election unit. I want to get a school-wide election going. I'm just curious though- how in depth did you guys go in discussing each candidate? Was the focus primarily just on the process of voting or did you get into a discussion of each candidate and their stance on issues??
And I must say- I am SO thankful I bought this unit! Everything is ready to go! You make doing amazing things so easy. I appreciate you putting in the time and effort to create these wonderful resources and sharing them. I just can't thank you enough!!
Kelly
Hey! We didn't get TOO into each candidate. I just don't even want to go there with little kiddos. At all. So, we talked about who they were and little fun facts. I used Scholastic News, so we would talk about their families, their pets, where they are from, and stuff like that. We didn't get into their platforms or issues at all. I told them if they wanted to discuss those matters to ask their parents. 🙂 We talked about how voting is a very personal and sometimes very emotional thing, so there were some things that should be discussed at home with their parents instead. The parents and kiddos were very understanding and appreciative of this. Anyway… we did talk about issues a little bit. Mainly, because I talked about how grown-ups vote based on the issues. We talked about what issues were important to them… they created platforms in groups… and then they created campaign commercials to share their stances with the class. I am sure I still have the videos! I wish I could share… they were so wonderful! Hope that helps! 🙂 I am glad you like the unit!
Yes! I was thinking there was no way I wanted to touch issues. I just want the kids to have the experience of voting.
Ok! Well I am so inspired! I swear, Amanda, you have made me such a better teacher!!! Your ideas have benefited me, my students, my team and their students, and now our entire school! Give yourself a huge pat on the back!!
I'm going to try to get this going and I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! Again, thank you so much!! You are AWESOME!!!
WOW! What great packs! You have been working very hard!
Alison
Teaching Maths with Meaning
we are doing a school-wide election as well the 5th grade is hosting. In 2nd we've done one for years and the kids love it!
fyi-the DNC is near us and my sis got the whole week off cause they shut Charlotte down! crazy! They even setup fake hotels and everything!
Rachel
Amanda,I am so disappointed! Your blog update on my e-mail didn't come through until this morning at 6:47, so I missed your 50% off your Too Cute to Spook 🙁 However fortunately I can still pick it up for 20% off! Thanks for the "Spook-tacular" sale! I'm going to need to be more faithful checking out your blog rather than waiting for the e-mail update! Lesson learned! 🙂 Love the foldable…thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to using it…and I know the kiddos will enjoy it as well!
Nancy
I love the elections unit!! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity!
I bought this a few weeks back on TPT! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Thanks for the great freebie. 🙂
Kate
Second Grade Sparkle
nice blog !!!