Election Resources from Thinkfinity

Election Day, November 4, is quickly approaching! Visit these resources from ReadWriteThink and Science NetLinks to bring elections and voting into your classroom.

The November 4th entry from the ReadWriteThink calendar is a collection of lesson plans, texts, and related Web resources on the topic of Election Day. Some examples from that calendar entry are:

• Vote for Me! Developing, Writing, and Evaluating Persuasive Speeches, Grades 3-5

• Propaganda Techniques in Literature and Online Political Ads, Grades 9-12
  

• Voting! What’s It All About? Grades 3-5
  

• Analyzing the Stylistic Choices of Political Cartoonists, Grades 9-12
  

Science and politics might seem odd partners, but they are intertwined. Candidates' opinions on various policy issues, such as stem-cell research, global warming, drug trials, and technology, affect their success. The electoral process itself includes a variety of scientifically based techniques, including decision making, opinion surveys, and electronic voting machines. Those elected to office hold hearings, appoint advisors, and determine budgetary priorities, including scientific inquiry grants, space travel, and energy resources.

Science NetLinks offers these election-related resources so teachers can show students how science and politics are not unrelated issues, but instead work hand-in-hand, both in the machinations of getting elected and in the work of governing. To see the resources, visit: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/elections/index.cfm.

Election Day is quickly approaching! Don’t forget to get out and vote!