Instructional Media and Technology Service

Instructional Media and Technology Service

Monthly Curriculum Resources

~ Election Resources – September 2004 ~

Sources Available at Wayne RESA’s Instructional Media and Technology Services:

Please note:

· Items listed in the Duplicating Collection do not circulate. Contact RESA TV at 734-334-1437 to make an appointment to duplicate. Free to those who copy the tapes themselves, $10 per tape if RESA makes the copies.

· Items listed in the Circulating Collection are available to check out. Call the circulation desk at 734-334-1595.

· Items listed in the Reference or Periodical Collection are available to use in the Resource Center only.

Agency for Instructional Technology. (1999). The New Nation. One fifteen minute video recording. An actor portraying Thomas Jefferson discusses the creation of the constitution and sketches the three branches of the federal government. Appropriate for grades 6 – 8. (Duplicating Collection E178.N39)

Hogan, Harlan. (1998). The Almost Painless Guide to American Civics. Three video recordings that cover the Executive branch, the Judicial branch, the Legislative branch, the Constitution, and the election process. Appropriate for grades 5 – 12. (Duplicating Collection JK424.A56).

Thomas S. Klise Co. (1999). All About Elections. One computer disc. Full color presentations explain who can vote, how candidates are selected, how elections are carried out and define political concepts. Learners can gauge their knowledge with an interactive test. Also includes a resource and activities section. Appropriate for elementary grades. (Circulating Collection JK1978.A44).

Video Streaming Resources:

For licensed Wayne County users, these videos are available at http://streaming.resa.net. For additional information, contact Anupam Chugh at 734-334-1500.

Our Federal Government: Electing A President: The Process ©2004
Focusing on presidential elections, this program includes information about presidential eligibility, the electoral college, presidential politics relating to elections, primaries, conventions and campaigns. Coverage includes examples of past elections as well as changes in election campaigning over the years.
Grades: Gr. 4 - Gr. 8     Runtime: 28:56. Includes correlations and teachers' guides.

Almost Painless American Civics: Almost Painless Guide to the Election Process ©2000
Harlan and Marie are back with this indispensable guide to the electoral process. Accompanied by contemporary and archival video footage, vibrant graphics, and informative commentary, their "spin" on the campaign trail is not to be missed. Highlights include the explanation of political parties, campaigns, and the different types of elections. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the involvement of citizens in each step of the process. Designed for grades 5 and up, this program provides a great review for older students as well.
Grades: Gr. 5 - Adult     Runtime: 22:39. Includes correlations, blackline masters, and teachers' guides.   Closed Caption Available

Almost Painless American Civics: Almost Painless Guide to the Executive Branch ©1998
The Almost Painless Guide to the Executive Branch, focuses on the origins of the Executive branch, the executive offices, the Cabinet, the power of the Presidential veto, and executive checks and balances. Also, it examines the requirements and functions of the Presidency along with the distribution of federal power between the branches.
Grades: Gr. 5 - Adult Runtime: 23:34. Includes correlations, blackline masters, and teachers' guides. Closed Caption Available

So You Want to Be President? ©2002
In the time-honored tradition of political commentary, author Judith St. George and Caldecott Medal winner/illustrator David Small celebrate the public and private lives of forty-two Presidents with humor and flair. Imparting much information and many laughs, this rip-roaring look at the men who have all wanted to be President deserves a place on every library and classroom shelf. Based on the book by Judith St. George and illustrator David Small. Part of the Weston Woods Series.
Grades: Gr. 2 - Gr. 6 Runtime: 28:02. Includes correlations and teachers' guides. Closed Caption Available

Web Resources:

Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

(Online). Available: http://bensguide.gpo.gov (2 September, 2004). Search for lesson plans by grade level on all topics of government, including elections.

Center for Voting and Democracy

(Online). Available: http://www.fairvote.org/e_college/index.html (20 August 2004). This site explains how the Electoral College works today, controversial elections, concerns with the Electoral College, reform options, and frequently asked questions.

CNN Election 2004

(Online). Available: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/ (2 September, 2004). Includes information on the candidates, the parties, news events.

Constitution Party

(Online). Available: http://www.constitutionparty.org/ (2 September 2004). The web site of the National Constitution Party.

Democratic National Committee

(Online). Available: http://www.democrats.org/index2.html (20 August 20, 2004). The official web site of the Democratic National Committee, has information on issues, candidates, news events and more.

Education World Election Lesson Plans

(Online). Available: http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson197.shtml (2 September, 2004). Lesson plans and activities for the upcoming election.

Federal Election Commission

(Online). Available: http://www.fec.gov/elections.html (20 August, 2004). This site includes information on Primary elections, recent election results, the Electoral College, voter registration and turnout statistics, special reports, and the administrative structure of U.S. elections.

The Greens

(Online). Available: http://www.greenparty.org/ (20 August 2004). Links to information, but this is NOT the official web site of the Green Party, which is recognized by the Federal Election Committee as a national political committee. The official Green Party web site is: http://www.gp.org .

The Libertarian Party

(Online). Available: http://www.lp.org/ (20 August 2004). Includes information on issues, the organization of the party, news and events, and more.

Library of Congress – Elections the American Way

(Online). Available: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/features/election/home.html (2 September, 2004). Links to features and activities on the candidates, voters, the party system, the election process and the issues.

New York Times Elections in the United States
(Online). Available: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/elections.html (2 September 2004). Includes lesson plans appropriate for a variety of grade levels.

PBS – By the People: Election 2004
(Online). Available: http://www.pbs.org/elections/kids/educators.html (2 September, 2004). Includes lesson plans, an election calendar, and election glossary.

PBS – Kids Democracy Project

(Online). Available: http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/ (2 September 2004). Activities and classroom resources on voting.

Reform Party

(Online). Available: http://www.reformparty.org/cgi-bin/hcgmain.cgi (20 August 2004). The official web site of the Reform Party.

Republican National Committee

(Online). Available: http://www.gop.com/Default.aspx (20 August 2004). This site includes links to information on the Republican Party.

Scholastic Election 2004

(Online). Available: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/election2004/ (2 September 2004). This site has links to online activities, lesson plans, teaching strategies and more.

Teach-Nology American Presidents Lesson Plans

(Online). Available: http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/history/government/presidents/ (1 September, 2004). Election and voting lesson plans for all grades.

U.S. Department of State - Election 2004
(Online). Available: http://fpc.state.gov/c9752.htm September 2004). Links to political parties, polls, election trivia, the media, the election process and more.

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