When it comes to teaching kids about the electoral process, there are a lot of resources out there. But sifting through them all can be time-consuming. To save you some time, we’ve compiled a list of the best voting picture books for upper elementary students. These books are engaging, informative, and best of all, they’re fun!
Grace for President
When Grace’s teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate in the school’s mock election. But soon she realizes that she has entered a tough race. Despite this, Grace persists and campaigns harder than ever before. By the end of the election, Grace learns an important lesson about politics and herself. Check out the book here!
Duck for President
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
In this hilarious story, Duck gets fed up with doing chores on Farmer Brown’s farm and decides to run for farm president. He quickly learns that being president is a lot of work! But Duck is nothing if not persistent, and he goes on to win the election for governor. This book is a great way to introduce kids to the idea of campaigning and voting. Check out this book here!
Want to save this for later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
The Importance of Mock Elections
While Grace’s story is fictional, it highlights the importance of mock elections. Mock elections are simulations of actual elections that provide students with direct experience in the electoral process. They also teach valuable lessons about campaigning, voting, and civil discourse.
Mock elections offer students a chance to practice using their critical thinking and decision-making skills. They must weigh the pros and cons of each candidate before making their final choice. This is an essential life skill that will serve them well beyond their school years.
In addition, mock elections help students understand the importance of voting. Many young people feel like their vote doesn’t matter, but mock elections show them that every vote counts. Students who participate in mock elections are more likely to become engaged citizens when they reach voting age. Finally, mock elections promote civil discourse by teaching students how to disagree respectfully with one another.
Grace’s story is a reminder of the power of mock elections. These simulations provide students with direct experience in the electoral process and teach valuable lessons about campaigning, voting, and civil discourse. With mock elections, students have the opportunity to practice using their critical thinking and decision-making skills – skills that will serve them well beyond their school years.
Children’s literature can be a valuable tool for teaching kids about complex topics like elections. These books can help kids understand campaigning, voting, and the importance of participating in democracy. And who knows – you might just spark an interest in politics in your young readers!
Check out this other blog post about voting here!
