How to Teach Elementary Students about Election Day and Voting

Election Day is a great time to teach students about voting and how our government works. Voting is a way students can practice citizenship in the classroom. Keep reading for my favorite Election Day resources that will make teaching about voting fun for elementary learners!

Election Day PowerPoint Lesson

Teach first and second graders about Election Day with this engaging PowerPoint lesson. Students will analyze calendars and a timeline. They will "Turn and Talk" with peers and check their comprehension at the end with five multiple-choice questions. This will make teaching Virginia SOL 1.2 and 2.3 a breeze!

Practice Voting in the Classroom

My Election Day resource includes relatable scenarios for students to practice voting in the classroom. They can vote on what they would like as a class reward (ice cream or cookies) and whether they'd like indoor or outdoor recess for the day. I recommend teachers follow through on whatever choice gets the most votes to make the experience authentic. There's also a blank template where you can fill in your own options on the ballot.

Duck for President Read Aloud

A fun read aloud related to elections is Duck for President by Doreen Cronin. In the story, Duck decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown. He learns that being in charge is a lot of work! This read aloud can provide another fun oppportunity to vote, and also create an opening to discuss the responsibilities of politicians.

Let me know if you try out any of these activities! Happy Teaching!