While I definitely have opinions about politics, I have done my best to make this lap book as neutral and nonpartisan as possible. I believe that the best future is one in which all sides can communicate openly and respectfully with one another and try to understand each other’s point of view.

That being said, while I tried to create this lap book as accurately as possible, there may be finer points of certain political parties which I am not as familiar with. If you believe I got anything wrong regarding any of the four candidates positions on certain issues, please let me know. I am always learning.

For those that have older kids vs. younger kids, there are two versions of this lapbook. One version I call the “minimal writing” version. It is the one I use with my own kids. Anything that could be pre-filled out, I typed in already. There is still some writing, like the page that asks who the child would vote for. However, it is not as overwhelming for new writers.

The other version leaves a lot more blank, so older kids can research the answers. They will need to look up the duties of the president and vice president and the dates of the debates, election, and inauguration. They will need to find the number of electoral voters per state. The biggest undertaking is the chart in which kids will need to decide which issues are important to them and then research the different candidates’ positions on those issues.

Of course, there is always the option to mix and match. Some kids might benefit from looking up some answers, while having others already filled in for them. Both versions of the lap book have a map for the child to color as the results come in. There is also a final tally page where they can keep track of the number of electoral votes awarded for each candidate. This way they can watch real time who is winning the race to 270 electoral votes and the presidency.

If you are using this lap book with elementary-aged kids or younger, there are two picture books that I recommend trying to get from your library. Back when I made our first election lap book 8 years ago, our family really enjoyed Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio. Not only is it a charming story, it does a fantastic job of introducing kids to concepts such as the electoral college and swing states.

We also read Duck for President by Doreen Cronin. This book targets a slightly younger audience. All my kids liked it, including my preschooler, though my older kids did not learn anything new. It is great for explaining what an election is and illustrating the difference between local vs. national politics.

Recommended Age Range: Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Time Required: ~30 minutes to assemble
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free printable

Materials

• Paper for printing 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book. (Note that if you are doing the “minimal writing” version of the lap book, you will want to print pages 1-13. If you are doing the blank version, you will want pages 1-7 and 14-19.)
• manila file folder (personally, I like the straight cut version for lap books, but any will work equally well.)
• 4 pieces of cardstock

Supplies & Tools

• Scissors
• Tape
• Pencil
• Glue
• Stapler

Instructions

1. First, print out the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book. If you would like to create the “minimal writing” version of the lap book, you will want to print pages 1-13. If you would rather create the blank version, print pages 1-7 and 14-19.
2. Cut out all the pieces.
   
3. Make your election vocabulary booklets and staple them together. You have some options. My personal preference is to put the picture on top, then the definition (which I call the clue), and then the vocabulary word on the bottom. That way kids can test themselves to see if they can figure out what the word is using the picture and definition. Another option would be to put the word on top, then the picture and definition underneath.
   
4. Fold the shorter side of your manila file folder inward to meet the middle, as shown.
   
5. Fold the longer side of the manila file folder in to meet the middle as well. I chose to overlap them slightly, but that is up to you.
   
6. Tape a piece of cardstock to the top of the lap book. Remember to tape it from behind when it is folded down so it can open and close easily.
   
7. Tape a sheet of cardstock to the bottom of lapbook. Again, remember to tape it when it is folded inside the lap book.
   
8. Tape a second piece of cardstock to the right of the piece of cardstock at the top of the lap book.
   
9. Cut your last piece of cardstock in half. I used a paper cutter, but you could also just fold it in half and use scissors.
   
10. Tape one of the half sheets of cardstock onto the left of the sheet of cardstock on top.
    
    When you are finished attaching the cardstock, it should look like this:
    
11. Place the cover page on top of the file folder and center it.
    
12. Without moving the page, bring forward whichever side of the file folder will be on top. I chose to bring the shorter side forward, but it doesn’t really matter. Use a pencil to mark the edge of the side. This is where you will cut.
    
13. Cut along the pencil marking.|
    
14. Glue the cover pieces onto the front of the lapbook.
    
15. When you open the election lap book, glue the President and Vice President duties on either side. Remember that there are two versions of these sheets – one filled in and one blank. Choose the one that is more appropriate for your child.
    
16. Glue the Political Parties label and cards onto the piece of cardstock on top, when it is folded down, as shown.
    
17. When you lift up the political parties, glue the presidential candidates on the bottom sheet of cardstock which is still folded up. Be sure to match the candidates to the political parties that were on the top sheet.
    
    
18. On the half sheet of cardstock directly above the presidential candidates, before it is opened up, glue in the important dates. Note that there are two versions of this page with the dates blank and filled in.
    
19. On the full piece of cardstock directly above the presidential candidates, before it is opened up, glue in the election vocabulary.
    
20. In the area after you unfold the top pieces of card stock, glue the important issues onto the 2 and half page spread. You can choose to either use the pre-filled-in issues pages or the blank version.
    
21. When you fold down the presidential candidates, glue the electoral map onto the middle section of the manila file folder and the final tally onto the very bottom piece of cardstock. Note that there are two versions of these pages as well.
    

Your 2024 United States presidential election lap book is now ready to use. Have fun taking advantage of this once-in-four-years learning opportunity!

Click here for more Government and Civics activities and printables for kids.

Related Links

History Activities for Kids
Social Science Activities for Kids
Learning Activities for Kids

The post 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book appeared first on ResearchParent.com.

This 2024 set of presidential election cards features the following 20 vocabulary words and 4 candidates:

• election
• president
• vice president
• campaign
• electoral college
• debate
• popular vote
• incumbent
• caucus
• ballot
• democracy
• inauguration
• executive branch
• swing state
• veto
• political party
• Republican Party
• Democratic Party
• Libertarian Party
• Green Party
• Donald Trump
• Kamala Harris
• Chase Oliver
• Jill Stein

These cards are actually inspired by Montessori education, meaning that in addition to the control cards shown above, they also come as split cards used for matching. Younger kids can match just the pictures to the names or words. Slightly older kids can match the pictures to the name or key word plus description. The oldest kids can math the name or key word to the description or try to match all 3 parts. Once kids have done the matching, they can use the control cards to see if they are right, making the activity self-correcting if you want it to be.

Another thing I love about Montessori-inspired multi-part cards is that they can be used for a number of games. The cards which contain on the information can be used as clue cards. You can use any board game (like Candyland or Chutes & Ladders) and some dice to race to the finish by just drawing a clue card for each turn and only rolling if you can correctly name the word associated with the clue card. If you don’t have a game board, you are welcome to print out my free generic game board.

Another way to play games with these cards is to do a memory style matching game. Simply choose two types of cards like picture and full information or word and clue. Then lay them out in a grid and take turns trying to make matches. I recommend not starting out with the full set of 24 cards. Start with a smaller subset and then work your way up.

Personally, I recommend laminating the cards for durability, but if you only plan to use them for a couple days, you could leave them as just paper. Printing on cardstock is also an option.

Recommended Age Range: Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Time Required: ~30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free printable, less than $3 to laminate

Materials:

• Paper for printing U.S. Presidential Election Cards and corresponding control cards. (Note that the last page of each document does not need to be printed as it just contains legal information regarding image sources.)
• Paper for printing bonus Presidential Candidates 2024 cards (again, no need to print the last page)
• 18 thermal laminating pouches

Supplies & Tools:

• Laminator
• Paper trimmer or scissors

Instructions:

1. Print the U.S. Presidential Election Cards, the corresponding control cards, and the 2024 Presidential Candidates bonus cards
2. Laminate them using thermal laminating pouches (instead, you could also print on card stock, use contact paper to laminate, or not laminate them at all).
   
3. Cut them out.
   

See my Montessori-inpired cards page for further details on how to use these cards.

Enjoy turning this upcoming 2024 presidential election into a hands-on learning experience for your children!

Click here for more Government and Civics activities and printables for kids.

Related Links

History Activities for Kids
Social Science Activities for Kids
Learning Activities for Kids

The post 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Cards appeared first on ResearchParent.com.

I’ll admit that when I was a kid…..okay, when I was a fully grown adult, there was a time when I knew practically none of the Justices. However, as I’ve grown into adulthood, I’ve learned how important these 9 individuals are to the fate of our democratic republic. While it is not crucial that my elementary-aged children be able to identify these 9 Justices, I want them to know how important the Supreme Court is. As they grow, I want them to become familiar with the faces of these 9 important individuals.

Personally, I think the cards are more fun. However as a homeschooling mom using a charter school, from time to time I need to show that my kids are learning. While I normally don’t love worksheets, they make great leaning samples. Since they don’t involve any writing, these are the sort of worksheets my kids love to do. They are quick, easy, and get the job done.

Using these matching worksheets, kids can show that they have internalized the information that the Montessori-style cards helped them practice. I have included versions in which the child simply needs to match the picture to the name as well as ones that use simple identifying descriptions. For those that want to save color ink, I’ve created black and white versions of the ones with pictures.

For those like me who get the Justices mixed up from time to time, I also created an answer key. I hope these free worksheets are helpful to your family!

Recommended Age Range: Elementary, Middle School, High School
Time Required: ~10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free

Download the free printable here:

United States Supreme Court Justices Matching Worksheets and Answer Key

Related Links

Learning Activities for Kids
Best Books for Kids
Social Science for Kids

The post U.S. Supreme Court Justice Matching Worksheets appeared first on ResearchParent.com.

Once every four years, those of us in the United States get a wonderful opportunity for teaching our kids a little about how our government works. In 2016, I created my first presidential election lap book. Over the past few weeks, several people inquired about whether or not I would be updating my lap book for the 2020 election. It took me a little longer than I anticipated, but it is now ready and freely available.

While I definitely have strong opinions and views on politics, I have done my best to make this lap book as neutral and nonpartisan as possible. I believe that the best future is one in which all sides can communicate openly and respectfully with one another and try to understand each other’s point of view.

That being said, while I tried to create this lap book as accurately as possible, there may be finer points of certain political parties which I am not as familiar with. If you believe I got anything wrong regarding any of the four candidates positions on certain issues, please let me know. I am always learning.

For those that have older kids vs. younger kids, there are two versions of this lapbook. One version I call the “minimal writing” version. It is the one I use with my own kids. Anything that could be pre-filled out, I typed in already. There is still some writing, like the page that asks who the child would vote for. However, it is not as overwhelming for new writers.

The other version leaves a lot more blank, so older kids can research the answers. They will need to look up the duties of the president and vice president and the dates of the debates, election, and inauguration. They will need to find the number of electoral voters per state. The biggest undertaking is the chart in which kids will need to decide which issues are important to them and then research the different candidates’ positions on those issues.

Of course, there is always the option to mix and match. Some kids might benefit from looking up some answers, while having others already filled in for them.

Both versions of the lap book have a map for the child to color as the results come in. There is also a final tally page where they can keep track of the number of electoral votes awarded for each candidate. This way they can watch real time who is winning the race to 270 electoral votes and the presidency.

If you are using this lap book with elementary-aged kids or younger, there are two picture books that I recommend trying to get from your library. Our family really enjoyed Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio. Not only is it a charming story, it does a fantastic job of introducing kids to concepts such as the electoral college and swing states.

We also read Duck for President by Doreen Cronin. This book targets a slightly younger audience. All my kids liked it, including my preschooler, though my 10 year old did not really learn anything new. It is great for explaining what an election is and illustrating the difference between local vs. national politics.

Recommended Age Range: Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Time Required: ~30 minutes to assemble
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free printable

Materials

• Paper for printing 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book. (Note that if you are doing the “minimal writing” version of the lap book, you will want to print pages 1-13. If you are doing the blank version, you will want pages 1-7 and 14-19.)
• manila file folder (personally, I like the straight cut version for lap books, but any will work equally well.)
• 4 pieces of cardstock

Supplies & Tools

• Scissors
• Tape
• Pencil
• Glue
• Stapler

Instructions

1. First, print out the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book. If you would like to create the “minimal writing” version of the lap book, you will want to print pages 1-13. If you would rather create the blank version, print pages 1-7 and 14-19.
2. Cut out all the pieces.
   
3. Make your election vocabulary booklets and staple them together. You have some options. My personal preference is to put the picture on top, then the definition (which I call the clue), and then the vocabulary word on the bottom. That way kids can test themselves to see if they can figure out what the word is using the picture and definition. Another option would be to put the word on top, then the picture and definition underneath.
   
4. Fold the shorter side of your manila file folder inward to meet the middle, as shown.
   
5. Fold the longer side of the manila file folder in to meet the middle as well. I chose to overlap them slightly, but that is up to you.
   
6. Tape a piece of cardstock to the top of the lap book. Remember to tape it from behind when it is folded down so it can open and close easily.
   
7. Tape a sheet of cardstock to the bottom of lapbook. Again, remember to tape it when it is folded inside the lap book.
   
8. Tape a second piece of cardstock to the right of the piece of cardstock at the top of the lap book.
   
9. Cut your last piece of cardstock in half. I used a paper cutter, but you could also just fold it in half and use scissors.
   
10. Tape one of the half sheets of cardstock onto the left of the sheet of cardstock on top.
    
    When you are finished attaching the cardstock, it should look like this:
    
11. Place the cover page on top of the file folder and center it.
    
12. Without moving the page, bring forward whichever side of the file folder will be on top. I chose to bring the shorter side forward, but it doesn’t really matter. Use a pencil to mark the edge of the side. This is where you will cut.
    
13. Cut along the pencil marking.|
    
14. Glue the cover pieces onto the front of the lapbook.
    
15. When you open the election lap book, glue the President and Vice President duties on either side. Remember that there are two versions of these sheets – one filled in and one blank. Choose the one that is more appropriate for your child.
    
16. Glue the Political Parties label and cards onto the piece of cardstock on top, when it is folded down, as shown.
    
17. When you lift up the political parties, glue the presidential candidates on the bottom sheet of cardstock which is still folded up. Be sure to match the candidates to the political parties that were on the top sheet.
    
18. On the half sheet of cardstock directly above the presidential candidates, before it is opened up, glue in the important dates. Note that there are two versions of this page with the dates blank and filled in.
    
19. On the full piece of cardstock directly above the presidential candidates, before it is opened up, glue in the election vocabulary.
    
20. In the area after you unfold the top pieces of card stock, glue the important issues onto the 2 and half page spread. You can choose to either use the pre-filled-in issues pages or the blank version.
    
21. When you fold down the presidential candidates, glue the electoral map onto the middle section of the manila file folder and the final tally onto the very bottom piece of cardstock. Note that there are two versions of these pages as well.
    
    

Your 2020 United States presidential election lap book is now ready to use. Have fun taking advantage of this once-in-four-years learning opportunity!

Click here for more Government and Civics activities and printables for kids.

Related Links

History Activities for Kids
Social Science Activities for Kids
Learning Activities for Kids

The post 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Lap Book appeared first on ResearchParent.com.

Four years ago, I created Montessori-inspired, multi-part U.S. presidential election cards and a lap book to go with it. I’ve had several inquiries about whether or not I would be updating my material for the 2020 election. The free printable cards on this page are nearly identical to my original set, with a couple minor changes. The presidential nominee cards also on this page have been completely redone. My updated lap book featuring the 2020 candidates can be found here.

I love Montessori-style cards. This might be surprising as I don’t seem like the type that would want my kids using flashcards. I like my kids to spend most of their days playing, getting dirty, creating things, and experiencing life to its fullest. What I love about these Montessori-inspired cards is that they are an efficient, hands-on way to learn.

After reviewing the information in the cards together, kids can test their own knowledge. The can match the picture to the full information cards or simply the word or name to its associated picture and/or definition. The control cards contain all the information in one place, so kids can check their answers to see if they matched correctly. One Montessori school that uses my cards told me they put the control cards on a loose leaf ring.

While I have a number of sets of Montessori-inspired cards, this 2020 U.S. presidential election card set features the following 20 words and 4 candidates:

• democracy
• president
• vice president
• election
• campaign
• debate
• caucus
• ballot
• political party
• republican party
• democratic party
• libertarian party
• green party
• swing state
• electoral college
• popular vote
• inauguration
• executive branch
• incumbent
• veto
• Donald Trump
• Joe Biden
• Jo Jorgensen
• Howie Hawkins

Another thing I love about Montessori-inspired multi-part cards is that they can be used for a number of games. The cards which contain on the information can be used as clue cards. You can use any board game (like Candyland or Chutes & Ladders) and some dice to race to the finish by just drawing a clue card for each turn and only rolling if you can correctly name the word associated with the clue card. If you don’t have a game board, you are welcome to print out my free generic game board.

Another way to play games with these cards is to do a memory style matching game. Simply choose two types of cards like picture and full information or word and clue. Then lay them out in a grid and take turns trying to make matches. I recommend not starting out with the full set of 24 cards. Start with a smaller subset and then work your way up.

Personally, I recommend laminating the cards for durability, but if you only plan to use them for a couple days, you could leave them as just paper. Printing on cardstock is also an option.

If you would like to be notified with then 2020 United States presidential election lap book is ready, feel free to sign up for my newsletter!

Recommended Age Range: Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Time Required: ~30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free printable, less than $3 to laminate

Materials:

• Paper for printing 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Cards and corresponding control cards. (Note that the last page of each document does not need to be printed as it just contains legal information regarding image sources.)
• Paper for printing bonus Presidential Candidates 2020 cards (again, no need to print the last page)
• 18 thermal laminating pouches

Supplies & Tools:

• Laminator
• Paper trimmer or scissors

Instructions:

1. Print the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Cards, the corresponding control cards, and the 2020 Presidential Candidates bonus cards
2. Laminate them using thermal laminating pouches (instead, you could also print on card stock, use contact paper to laminate, or not laminate them at all).
   
3. Cut them out.
   

See my Montessori-inpired cards page for further details on how to use these cards.

Enjoy turning this upcoming 2020 presidential election into a hands-on learning experience for your children!

Click here for more Government and Civics activities and printables for kids.

Related Links

History Activities for Kids
Social Science Activities for Kids
Learning Activities for Kids

The post 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Cards appeared first on ResearchParent.com.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Never mind your kids for a minute…If you live in the United States, do you know all your Supreme Court justices? My kiddos are WAY too young to find these cards and the associated game useful, but as a U.S. citizen and a grown-up, and especially after all the excitement that’s been going on in the Court recently, I wanted to make sure I knew them all. After all, these are some of the most influential people in the U.S.

You’ve probably heard of Chief Justice John Roberts. If you’ve been paying attention to politics recently, you’ve also probably heard of the Notorious RBG and Antonin Scalia of “jiggery-pokery” fame. You might also know that the only current African American member of the Court is Clarence Thomas and, as a Hispanic female, personally I took note when Sonia Sotomayor was nominated. However, I had no idea Kennedy was such a liberal-leaning conservative. Breyer never even showed up on my radar until this latest session when he read a second impassioned dissent in the recent death penalty case. I probably heard that there was a third female Justice serving on the Supreme Court at some point, but I had completely forgot about Kagan. Honestly, I thought Scalia and Alito were the same person.

If you’re like me and getting your Justices mixed up, I’m hoping these Supreme Court Justice cards will help. By combining them with the control cards, you (or your kids) can use them as a self-correcting exercise in matching the name/bio cards to the pictures. You can also use them for a two-player memory style matching game. Just imagine how smart you’ll feel at the next dinner party you attend. Just kidding. :)

In case you’re interested in some of the recent happenings at the Supreme Court, here are summaries of the biggest decisions that occurred within the last month:

• Obergefell v. Hodges – In a historic 5 to 4 decision with Anthony Kennedy joining the liberal-leaning Justices, the Court declared that states could not ban same-sex marriage thereby ensuring marriage equality for all.
• King v. Burwell – In a 6 to 3 decision with Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts joining the more liberal justices, the Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.
• Glossip v. Gross – In a 5 to 4 decision with all the conservative-leaning justices banding together, the Court ruled that it was NOT considered cruel and unusual punishment to use a controversial lethal injection drug. In a surprising and unusual deviation from normal protocol, 2 dissents were read out loud by members of the liberal minority.

Recommended Age Range: Elementary, Middle School, High School
Time Required: ~15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free printable, less than $2 in used supplies if you choose to laminate

Materials:

• paper (for printing Supreme Court Justice cards and associated control cards)
• laminating pouches (optional)

Supplies & Tools:

• laminator (optional)
• paper cutter (or scissors)

Instructions:

1. Print the Supreme Court Justice Cards and Control Cards. (Note that only the first 3 pages of each document need to be printed as the last 2 pages contain legal information about sharing and image sources.)
2. Laminate them. (Or don’t.)
   
3. Cut them out.
   

HAPPY LEARNING!

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The post United States Supreme Court Justice Cards appeared first on ResearchParent.com.