Mini-Lesson

What is a swing state?

Grades 4-6

Students will use context clues to understand the meaning of the term "swing state."

1. The timeforkids.com news story Election Day Arrives uses a term "swing state." This term might be unfamiliar to some students. Ask students to explain what they think it means.

2. Next, tell students that one way to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words or terms is to look at the context in which it's used. Direct students to paragraphs 4 and the first sentence in paragraph 5. Read this section of the story aloud. Then explain how you might use what you've just read to understand the term "swing state." For example:

Paragraph 4 tells me that John McCain had a solid lead in 21 states. This means he's likely to win the most votes in these states. The paragraph also tells me that McCain could possibly win in six other states (Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada and Ohio). However, voters in those six states seem to leaning toward Barack Obama. But neither candidate has a solid lead. When I read the term "swing state" in the next paragraph I picture the motion that a swing makes, back and forth. This makes me think that a "swing state" is a state where the votes could go one way or they could go another way. The votes are very close, but one candidate doesn't have a solid lead over another candidate.

3. Wrap up this mini lesson by telling students that when they come upon a word or term they're not familiar with, one strategy is to "read around" the word or term to find context clues that can help you understand what it means.