Mini-Lesson

Talking About the Issues

Grades 2-3

Students will learn about one factor voters use to decide who to vote for.

1. In any election, people running for office must talk about the issues that affect the people in their community, state or country. For example, in an election for class president, recess might be an important issue. Students want new jump ropes and balls. The person running for class president must tell voters what he or she plans to do to help voters get new jump ropes and balls.

2. In presidential elections the issues are different. Ask: What are the issues you think people care most about in the 2008 election? Write "Issues" on the board and create a word web as students state the issues. Examples include education, the environment, heath care, the war, and the economy, or jobs.

3. Start a discussion. Ask: What issue is most important to you and your family and why? What issue do you think is most important to our school community or where we live?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Learn About the Issues Have students visit the Inside the Issues section of the timeforkids.com/election08 mini site.

What's the Most Important Issue? Have students survey classmates about the issues listed in part 2 of this lesson. Students should prepare a survey sheet and use tally marks to record responses. They should then complete the survey by ranking the issues in order of importance. .

RESOURCES:

Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio; illus. by LeUyen Pham (Hyperion Books for Children, 2008). A fictional look at how we choose leaders.

The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents by Wyatt Blassingame (Random House Children's Books, 2008). A fun, informative look at all the American presidents.

Time For Kids: Presidents of the United States by the Editors of Time For Kids with Lisa De Mauro (Collins, 2006). Brief, compelling biographies of the American presidents.