Help your students learn about how our democracy works and how they can make their voices heard with Scholastic's free Election 2020 website!
Select a Reading Level
The issues, articles, and quizzes are available at two reading levels: grades 3-6 and grades 7-12. Have students select the appropriate level or change it with the drop-down selection at the top right.
Build Knowledge
Guide students to choose one of the issues and complete a KWL chart (What I think I know about the topic, What I want to know, What I learned). Have them fill out the first two columns before reading the issue page. After reading, have them add to the second column and complete the third. Then discuss: How did reading about the issue confirm, challenge, or change your thinking about the candidates? What questions do you still have? Where might you find the answers?
Take a Quiz
Have students choose a quiz by selecting “Civics in Action” and then “Quizzes.” Ask them to report their score and two facts they learned. Then have students write two more questions for the quiz.
Explore the Interactive Map
An interactive map is available under “Civics in Action” then “Race to 270.” Have students read the directions under “How to Play?” then click states to make their predictions. Ask students to download their maps and answer these questions: Who do you predict will win? How many more electoral votes than the 270 needed do you predict he will get? What would happen if Florida votes differently than you predicted?
Get Involved
Have students read the article “Get Involved!” under “Civics in Action” then “Articles.” Then ask students to choose a way to get involved in the election. You might use technology to have students work distantly in small groups. Then have them submit a picture or video showing the results of their project.
Promote Civil Discourse
Talking about politics can be challenging and unpredictable. Always begin conversations by reviewing norms about respect, listening, and supporting ideas with evidence. Before starting discussions, give students a few minutes of quiet time to gather their thoughts and jot notes for themselves. Instead of having a class debate about which candidate is best, you might have a debate about which issue is most important in the 2020 election. Provide frames to help students build on each other’s ideas, such as “To connect with what ___ said . . .” or “After thinking about what ___ said, I now think . . .”
Cast Votes
Students can submit their votes through October 16, 2020. Before students vote, you might have them complete a checklist:
☐ Read the Quick Facts about Donald Trump and Joe Biden under “The Candidates.”
☐ Choose one of the issues from “The Issues” section. Explain why it’s important. Then compare Biden and Trump on the issue in “The Candidates” section.
☐ Talk with friends or family members about who they’re supporting in the election and why. Try to find a person who supports each candidate.
☐ Make up your mind and cast your vote at scholastic.com/vote.
☐ You may feel like neither candidate completely matches your views on the issues. If you were a presidential candidate, what would you focus on? What messages would you share with voters?