Let's Talk about the Inauguration!

3:12 PM

<span class="caption_text">2013 presidential inauguration clip art</span>



Let's talk about the Inauguration! 


Hello! Thank you for stopping by and joining in our conversation! This is a collaborative blog that is by teachers, for teachers! An an educator, we all know that sometimes you just need to bounce ideas off of someone, see what they think, have a conversation. But you may not always have time. Well, this blog is for you! Feel free to stop by often and converse with us about teaching tips and instructional strategies. 

First, Let me introduce myself!

Since this is my first post, let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Melissa, and I was in the classroom for 13 years. In that time, I taught 4th grade - Algebra 1. Currently, I am a Mathematics Instructional Coach, which is a fancy way of saying I get to support teachers in implementing effective instruction! I am very blessed that I get to work with some rockstar math teachers from Kindergarten - 8th grade! In addition to working with so many awesome teachers, I am also a visiting instructor at a University, where I teach Mathematics methods courses. 

When I manage to get some free time away from work I love being active! I enjoy run/walking, yoga, zumba, and cycling. I also love reading, spending hours on Pinterest and National Public Radio! So in short, I'm a Math nerd, a creative one, that loves to support the learning of mathematics in our world.

Lets talk about Inauguration Resources!

Which brings me to the topic of this post...let's talk about Inauguration Day. No one can deny that the election is a topic of conversation within our classrooms! Regardless of which candidate you, or your students support, Inauguration Day reminds us that the USA is a country that believes in the democratic process. Here are a few creative ideas and resources that help your students experience the election process and Inauguration Day: 

Race to the White House Game
This resource incorporates Citizenship and Mathematics

When talking with students about how the US President is elected, they are often most confused with the relationship between the popular vote and electoral vote. It is important that we take the time to explain/analyze the history of the electoral college and its role in the election. Here is a fun and engaging game available that will help students experience how electoral votes determine the President.

Race to the White House



Presidential Job Posting
This resource incorporates Language Arts, Citizenship, and 
technology

Another topic of high conversation around the election and inauguration is what "qualifies" someone to be president. A creative way for students to research and report out on the necessary qualifications of a president is to create a presidential job posting. For this activity, students should research the qualifications for US President. They should also research what type of information is given in a job posting (Ex: What is listed on Indeed or Monster Jobs). They can then synthesize this information to create a Presidential Job post. This can be created on paper, or via technology. 


Fake News?
This resource incorporates Citizenship and Language Arts

There is talk all around about the role of fake news in elections! Which means there is no better time to talk to students about the importance of synthesizing multiple sources of information. The possibilities for this are ENDLESS! Use this conversation to open up an opportunity for students to research a topic using multiple sources such as reference materials, print media, social media, digital media, movies and commercials, and word of mouth. 

Students as Presidential Monuments
This resource incorporates Citizenship and Art

We see statues and monuments around us all the time! Chances are there are several in your school that students pass by everyday. A creative way for students to learn about Presidential achievements is to have them create living statues. For this activity, students will research the achievements of the outgoing President. Based on this research they will design a Presidential monument for the outgoing president. Allow students to draw their monument, and/or take a picture of themselves dressed up and posed as their monument. 

Students should be able to explain why they gave their monument a specific pose and dress based on their research. Students should also be able to explain where their monument would be located based on their research. 

Students should also feel free to create a monument that is not a statue (Ex: the Washington Monument), as long as they can explain how the sculpture relates to the president. Consider allowing students to build their monuments with art supplies or construct with a 3-D printer. 

Variation: Have students research and dress up like various past presidents. Arrange students in the room and tape them like the "mannequin challenge." Then have students try and guess the presidents based on their research. 

Letters to the President
This resource incorporates Language Arts, Arts, and Citizenship

Although they are not of voting age our students have a lot to say about, and to the President. When we give our students chances to speak their mind and voice their concerns, then we as educators can help guide their mindset around our Government. One way to hear their voice is through literature. Give students the opportunity to write a letter, song, poem, rap, comic strip, or drawing to the incoming President. These letters will give you an in depth look at their fears and misconceptions that you can use  for instruction and for building  rapport. 

There is SO MUCH conversation going on about the election and we can really use this to have meaningful learning experiences with our students. I hope that you enjoyed some of my ideas. Please feel free to comment with ideas of your own...after all...we are all here for the conversation :) 

Don't forget about all the great technology resources we shared here on
Conversations from the Classroom!




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2 comments

  1. These are some very good, creative, and fun ideas. Students have a tough time understanding the electoral college system, especially.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your feedback!

    ReplyDelete

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