Election Time: Presidents and Prime Ministers

November is election month. Elections will be held for various offices in different areas of government. The electoral process was created by our founding fathers as a way for everyone to participate in government. While 2009 won't be host to a presidential election, there are still lots of ways to learn about past and current leaders, including those overseas.

Having children go through an election, conduct a campaign, and create a cabinet can be a fun way to teach children responsibility and the power of a leadership position. Having a "A President for the Day" can give children a sense of empowerment and their ability to make decisions.

The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, has one of the most recognizable addresses in America. The Prime Minister of England's residence at 10 Downing Street is also a well known tourist spot. Both homes are special because of who resides in the dwellings. The president and prime minister are titles of power and influence. Learning about the people in these offices, and the homes in which they live, can provide an interesting compare and contrast to our own homes and civic responsibilities. Studying other famous homes can also be a way to highlight a family's home. It can be a great way to clean up the house and "invite" people for a tour of your home. These are engaging activities for all ages, and especially appeal to the younger ones.

The White House has witnessed many pivotal events throughout America's history. The house itself has many stories to tell. Not many homes have a website, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the few. The White House still conducts tours, but requests must be made six months in advance, (no later than 30 days to the visit) and by a member of Congress. All tours are free of charge, but tickets are on a first come, first served basis. The most famous door in England, 10 Downing Street, has an online, interactive tour. This is a great opportunity to see all that is behind the black, nondescript door without taking a plane flight "over the pond."

Learning about each president can be daunting for anyone, especially children. The later ones and early ones tend to come easily; it is the large chunk in the middle that can get very muddled. Where Were the U.S. Presidents Born provides a great way to make the task a little bit easier and work in some map skills. Charting each president's birth place and origin can be fun. A little math can be sprinkled in by using graphing skills, creating pies charts, or bar graphs to visually illustrate information. Comparing the prime minister and the president can provide insights and demonstrate key differences of each office. Students can also do research on these offices by using the Internet or going to the library.

If you live in a state or city where a president lived, you could take a field trip to see the former president's home. Most are open to the public and have many interesting artifacts or relics from the president's term in office. Famous Homes of U.S. Presidents is an interesting site with a list of the homes of presidents. There are pictures and descriptions as well.

The president and prime minister hold important jobs, but so does a home-schooling parent. You have the similar pressure of ensuring your home is safe, and your constituents are educated and happy.

Election Time Lesson Plans:      

Analysis of 2000 Presidential Election has students review the 2000 election and anaylze why it was a close election.  Children create a monologue, acting as a reporter on the scene of election night. This is good for high school students.

Does My Vote Count has children explore the electoral college. They perform duties at a constitutional convention and discuss whether the electoral college is a valid or fair institution.

The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Understanding the President's job has children learn the roles and specific powers of the office. The ability of the president to communicate with the public is studied. There is an interesting chance to write a letter to the president expressing the student's views or opinions.

A President's Home and the President's House compares the White House to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's personal home). Children create charts on differences between their own home and the White House.

Leading Ladies: Exploring Women and Leadership Around the World has students learn about women leaders and the first female prime minister. Children have fun creating a museum of famous women leaders.