It has been a long few weeks and I thought by now I would be winding down and catching up on life. While it is true I have gotten several loads of laundry done today, caught up on the pile of paperwork and bills I was basically ignoring and got the upstairs of my home (kids rooms excluded) basically presentable I still feeling like we are living in chaos. The unexpected Senate recount is throwing a wrench into our plans as are some sick kiddos. Still we are slowly coming out from the whirlwind our lives have recently become.
The campaign work this year was fun, at time demanding, at times disappointing and at times encouraging, overall I am still glad we were as involved as we were. I really thought this year I would let politics go and we would have a lay low year. I should know by now that is not really possible for me, it must be in my blood or something. Then once it starts it builds and builds until we are at a whirlwind speed that takes us through the finish line.
This year we incorporated a civics class into our studies. Along with two other families the students 2nd-6th grade learned about our government structure and responsibilities, elections, campaigns, separation of powers, basic civics overviews and even concepts like the electoral college and presidential line of succession which are often difficult concepts and certainly not exciting ones to teach kids in that age group. They had fun though and learned a lot along the way.
As for campaign work this year with our own family we did our usual door knocking, voter identification and registration, lawn sign assembly and delivery, poster creation and added to that a lot of time at campaign headquarters. Maria even made over 100 phone calls this election cycle and they all assembled literature drops and helped around the office however they were able. Ciaran was quite disappointed that we were unable to do any sign waving on election day, one of his favorite things and Maria was excited I assigned less writing about the process and opted for more hands on and interactive lessons. Sirah was just thrilled to be able to design posters and craft every day and have a multitude of adults praise her work and be blessed and excited by it.
I ended up much more involved personally then I intended to be and even now still find myself continuing on with assisting in the MN Senate recount process. Yet for all its craziness I am proud of what we accomplished and please with doing it together as a family. The election results were mixed for us with several of our candidates being elected and some not, this provided good learning opportunities for the kids on dealing with both victory and loss after working so very hard to accomplish something.
I met some very interesting people from all around the country and in my own neighborhood, several whom I think will become life long friends. I encouraged friends and acquaintances and yes even complete strangers to me to get involved in the political process, some for the first time this year. I made more phone calls then I think I ever want to do again, but I know I will do it all over again in 2, 4, 6 and 8 years and on down the road. I knocked on doors, discussed issues and candidates with complete strangers at Starbucks, swim team, church and within my homeschool group. I did a ton of research and really learned a lot about a variety of individuals and subjects I never cared about before.
Overall the work over the past few months has blessed me and has really shown me how one person can make a difference and effect change. One day I was feeling particularly discouraged and decided to do the math. For every volunteer I brought to the office around 200 phone calls were made, often more over a typical 3 hour shift. If they came back or brought friends that number increased. Through relationships I had, cold calling lists and previous volunteer lists I called I probably made over 300 volunteer calls. While I do not know how many volunteers I actually got to come through the door or get involved in volunteering in some way I know it was over 50. Mathematically that adds up to somewhere around 10,000 calls - that was worth making 300 calls wouldn't you say? That does not even account for all the personal calls and doors I knocked in this cycle. I never did keep track, my goal was to make 3000 contacts and I think I came close to that but somewhere in the middle I switched to focusing on getting more volunteers. This does not mean we talked to 13,000 people - we left a lot of answering machine messages and got a lot of wrong numbers and some people hung up on us before we could speak. Still those are good numbers and in a state where the senate race came down to several hundred votes I feel like that made a difference. I don't take credit for all the volunteer calls made, the volunteers made them not me, but I do see how I personally and my family who helped and enabled me made a difference in this election. I am one person and each person who got involved made a difference.
At one point on a particularly crazy week Maria asked me why we couldn't be just like any other normal family which actually led to some really great discussions about "normal" and our family choices and lifestyle. I answered immediately and explained how important we see this election as and how we need to take responsibility and be good citizens. I told her that in 2 and 4 and 6 years (Congress, President, and Senate) I wanted to be able to say we did everything we could, win or lose we tried our best. I can honestly say that to my kids in 2,4 and 6 years whether we got the candidate we wanted or not. And in 2 years we will be doing it all over again. That is not to say we are not involved in between election cycles because we are.
One day while working at the campaign headquarters four representatives came in, the woman sitting next to me did not know or recognize them and I realized many of the volunteers in there had never met them before even if they recognized them. It was when I called the one by first name and he used my name that I realized - yes I really am involved. I got to know my representatives, local house and senate as well as US House through calling, emailing and visiting them and working on their campaigns. We are not friends but I feel comfortable calling them and letting them know how I feel on an issue or asking them to take my homeschool group on a tour through the state capital building. To one I said how are you feeling about the election and told him he didn't need to worry he had been a good representative and he thanked me and told me he appreciated hearing that and then said he doesn't hear that much at all. He gets re-elected by substantial margins which clearly means people like him but they don't take the time to say so. If you haven't recently send your local reps a thank you card or email or phone call - letting them know you appreciate the job they are doing. Then next time they run for office help them out with a literature drop or phone bank. In between get to know them and let them know how you feel about issues.
Democracy truly is a precious gift even when we end up with candidates we didn't want or don't agree with. We can always work for change tomorrow and work with our representatives to be accountable today. Citizenship is really important and as much as I am truly exhausted now and wondering where the stores are going to come from to help volunteer for a long likely unpleasant recount I know they will come and I know it is important. I know that my kids will grow up and remember all the things we did together as a family and remember that they have been involved their whole lives, I pray that will translate into lifelong citizen activism for them as well. Even when I am tired, not fond of the candidates, or absolutely disgusted and frustrated with the bureaucracy and system I still find myself pulled back into the world of grassroots politics. It is there you see heart and grit and passion, you meet great people, those who are doing it for the first time and those who have done it for the past 60 years. Together you affect change and make a difference. If our little family can help a chain of effects that led to over 10,000 phone calls so can you. Imagine how different our elections would be if that was the case.
If you made it through this post I am amazed as I feel like I am rambling on and on now without any clear direction. Still it was a good campaigning season and I am glad that I ignored my desire to not get involved this year and fell back into old habits and brought my family along for the ride and even grabbed some friends along the way.
How about you? Any good stories from this election season? Did you volunteer? Anyone for the first time? Good experiences, bad experiences?
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
November 6, 2008
October 7, 2008
Civics Based Day
Today was an unusual school day. We started the day with contractors above our heads installing our new bamboo floors. It is very loud to be under all the staple and nail guns. Rhiannon worked on some reading for history and science as well as completed her math in various rooms of the house moving away from the noise and chaos of the construction and her younger siblings lessons.
Ciaran, Sirah and I started studying Ancient Egypt, the Nile and random interesting facts. The lesson was fun and engaging and ended with an actual sword fight between the two with the result being Sirah (White Crown King of Upper Nile) defeating Ciaran (Red Crown King of Lower Nile) and capturing his crown naming her the double crown king. They really enjoyed the lesson and seemed engaged even when we did some map work and talked about things like silt and the direction the Nile flows.
Eventually the noise became too much and after finishing the lessons that require lots of discussion, read aloud and interaction we packed up the rest of the book work and headed out to finish the bookwork in more quiet.
Then we headed to a nearby political campaigning office we are affiliated with for the afternoon. The kids got messy with paint, markers, glitter and glue creating candidate posters while I made some voter identification phone calls. They were rewarded with their artwork being displayed and some potato chips with lemonade.
We headed to a friends house where I taught our weekly civics class - this week our topic was presidential debates and the campaign trail. We discussed what types of activities are going on at this point in the presidential campaign. We broke the students up into different roles and held a town hall styled debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain. The rest of the students asked questions about topics ranging from the economy to education to foreign policy. The kids seemed to enjoy it and I was impressed with how knowledgeable the students ranging 2nd to 6th grade were about the issues and candidates. We ended with a discussion about whether winning or losing a debate matters in an election, if there really can be a winner and why the candidates answers tend to be less than clear and direct on many issues. Then I opened it up for random question and answer time where the kids can ask me any questions about politics, campaigning, issues and candidates they can think of. We had some interesting questions like:
What is a whig? What is a federalist? Why don't we have anymore?
Do you have to be a senator to become president?
Have we ever had a female presidential candidate?
How do you get to be Obama or McCain (presidential campaign)?
Why do you have to be a natural born citizen to become president?
What are the criteria for becoming president?
Didn't a president have to step down? Watergate
Can a president be elected more than twice?
How do you get to vote?
There were others but I can't think of them. I am enjoying teaching this class and it seems the students are having fun too. So far we have covered the basic structure of our government, federalism, branches of government, qualifications and responsibilities of major leaders, campaign strategies, life on the campaign trail, voting, electoral college, popular votes, how a candidate gets elected, caucuses, primaries, etc. Some day when I have extra time I will post my lessons from those days. We ended the evening watching the presidential debate as a family until one by one the kids dropped off into sleep.
This time of year we are very active as a family in campaigning and encouraging voters to vote and citizens to get involved however they can. I have friends on both sides of many issues, friends committed to various candidates, passionate opinions between family members and friends and that is all well and good. I encourage all of them to get involved no matter what candidate they support and I encourage you to do the same and to teach your children valuable civics lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.
My kids have been involved with us politically since they were babies - we have always been active and just like many other aspects of our family life we just bring the kids along. They can't do everything with us but they have seen presidents speak, candidates debate, knocked on doors, delivered lawn signs, and just observed and learned from their parents and they participate in civics and good citizenship. I have been applauded for these choices and I have been criticized for them. I will continue to encourage families to participate in civics as families and encourage my children to be active citizens as they grow up no matter what candidates they choose to support.
My kids are now starting to show likes and dislikes and remember certain parts of their experiences from years past. Ciaran really enjoys door knocking and delivering lawn signs. Rhiannon enjoys learning about the issues and watching the debates more but doesn't like the door to door interactions but wants to be able to make phone calls. Sirah she really likes the art part of it making posters and being creative.
A few lessons along the way. They have learned patience through this, being able to sit quietly and respectfully at an office while many adults are on phones around them or wait for a long time to hear a politician speak about many things that seem boring and irrelevant to them. Their presence has made others realize that children can be present and respectful in unusual circumstances. They have learned that even as a young child they can make a difference and help even in small ways that can have an impact. They have learned about being part of something bigger than them and taking part in something with many other people for a common cause. They learn that even when we work hard we don't always win.
Now I am not going to lie and say it is always roses and what seems exciting on day one wears on anyone after 2 months especially younger ones. But overall I think they have built some positive memories and learned some life long lessons in ways they will never understand from a textbook. Some random lessons I have learned everything is easier with food, time for art, exercise and the book Duck for President.
Blessings,
Tennies
Ciaran, Sirah and I started studying Ancient Egypt, the Nile and random interesting facts. The lesson was fun and engaging and ended with an actual sword fight between the two with the result being Sirah (White Crown King of Upper Nile) defeating Ciaran (Red Crown King of Lower Nile) and capturing his crown naming her the double crown king. They really enjoyed the lesson and seemed engaged even when we did some map work and talked about things like silt and the direction the Nile flows.
Eventually the noise became too much and after finishing the lessons that require lots of discussion, read aloud and interaction we packed up the rest of the book work and headed out to finish the bookwork in more quiet.
Then we headed to a nearby political campaigning office we are affiliated with for the afternoon. The kids got messy with paint, markers, glitter and glue creating candidate posters while I made some voter identification phone calls. They were rewarded with their artwork being displayed and some potato chips with lemonade.
We headed to a friends house where I taught our weekly civics class - this week our topic was presidential debates and the campaign trail. We discussed what types of activities are going on at this point in the presidential campaign. We broke the students up into different roles and held a town hall styled debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain. The rest of the students asked questions about topics ranging from the economy to education to foreign policy. The kids seemed to enjoy it and I was impressed with how knowledgeable the students ranging 2nd to 6th grade were about the issues and candidates. We ended with a discussion about whether winning or losing a debate matters in an election, if there really can be a winner and why the candidates answers tend to be less than clear and direct on many issues. Then I opened it up for random question and answer time where the kids can ask me any questions about politics, campaigning, issues and candidates they can think of. We had some interesting questions like:
What is a whig? What is a federalist? Why don't we have anymore?
Do you have to be a senator to become president?
Have we ever had a female presidential candidate?
How do you get to be Obama or McCain (presidential campaign)?
Why do you have to be a natural born citizen to become president?
What are the criteria for becoming president?
Didn't a president have to step down? Watergate
Can a president be elected more than twice?
How do you get to vote?
There were others but I can't think of them. I am enjoying teaching this class and it seems the students are having fun too. So far we have covered the basic structure of our government, federalism, branches of government, qualifications and responsibilities of major leaders, campaign strategies, life on the campaign trail, voting, electoral college, popular votes, how a candidate gets elected, caucuses, primaries, etc. Some day when I have extra time I will post my lessons from those days. We ended the evening watching the presidential debate as a family until one by one the kids dropped off into sleep.
This time of year we are very active as a family in campaigning and encouraging voters to vote and citizens to get involved however they can. I have friends on both sides of many issues, friends committed to various candidates, passionate opinions between family members and friends and that is all well and good. I encourage all of them to get involved no matter what candidate they support and I encourage you to do the same and to teach your children valuable civics lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.
My kids have been involved with us politically since they were babies - we have always been active and just like many other aspects of our family life we just bring the kids along. They can't do everything with us but they have seen presidents speak, candidates debate, knocked on doors, delivered lawn signs, and just observed and learned from their parents and they participate in civics and good citizenship. I have been applauded for these choices and I have been criticized for them. I will continue to encourage families to participate in civics as families and encourage my children to be active citizens as they grow up no matter what candidates they choose to support.
My kids are now starting to show likes and dislikes and remember certain parts of their experiences from years past. Ciaran really enjoys door knocking and delivering lawn signs. Rhiannon enjoys learning about the issues and watching the debates more but doesn't like the door to door interactions but wants to be able to make phone calls. Sirah she really likes the art part of it making posters and being creative.
A few lessons along the way. They have learned patience through this, being able to sit quietly and respectfully at an office while many adults are on phones around them or wait for a long time to hear a politician speak about many things that seem boring and irrelevant to them. Their presence has made others realize that children can be present and respectful in unusual circumstances. They have learned that even as a young child they can make a difference and help even in small ways that can have an impact. They have learned about being part of something bigger than them and taking part in something with many other people for a common cause. They learn that even when we work hard we don't always win.
Now I am not going to lie and say it is always roses and what seems exciting on day one wears on anyone after 2 months especially younger ones. But overall I think they have built some positive memories and learned some life long lessons in ways they will never understand from a textbook. Some random lessons I have learned everything is easier with food, time for art, exercise and the book Duck for President.
Blessings,
Tennies
September 9, 2008
Election Study
Four year ago we did a unit study during the election. It was a points based study to learn about America's governing system and work to get a candidate elected. We will begin our elections lessons and campaigning next week. I thought I would share some of the activities.
Campaigning and Political Action Hands on Activities
10 points
Pray daily for President, Vice president, senators running and for the election process - 10 points per day
Literature Drops - distribute literature, brochures, etc through neighborhood - 10 points per piece
Phone calling reminding people to vote or participate in phone bank - 10 points per call
25 points
Wear your campaign t-shirt, hat or button supporting your candidate - 25 points per day
Send out cards encouraging people to vote for your candidate - 25 points per card
Make cookies, wrap them individually and pass them out with a tag remining people to vote for your candidate - 25 per cookie
50 points
Encourage your parents and friends to volunteer for a campaign and receive email updates
Get permission and place campaign signs or bumper stickets in yards or windows - 50 points per piece
Draw a political cartoon about the presidential race
Watch and record the presidential and vice-presidential debates - 50 points each
Invite friends to watch the debate with you - 50 per friend who joins you
Ask friends/family who they thought won the debate and who they will vote for - compare the results
100 points
Make campaign posters for use at rallies or in windows or to sign wave with - 100 per sign
Visit the childhood home or presidential library of a president - 100 points each
Conduct a survey of 10 people (10 points per person interviewed) ask two questions "What three things do you think are most important about a Presidential candidate? and Which presidential candidate do you intend to vote for? Compare and graph results of questions - 100 points for graph of results
Attend a prayer support evening at local church for the presidents or conduct your own in your home
Go to the polls with someone who is voting
200 points
Visit your local campaign headquarters
Volunteer at local headquarts (stamping, envelopes, signs, copies, phone calling, etc) 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Door knocking, canvassing, sign waving, voter ID, etc - 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Make your own campaigning t-shirt - 200 points each
Set up a voter registration booth at a local mall, neighborhood or other event
Register voters and hand deliver registrations - 200 per registration
Call a local talk radio station, share your age and why you think people should vote for a candidate or just vote in general
Write and film a 30 second commercial explaining why you believe your candidate should be elected
Write and submit a letter to the editor why you think people should support your candidate - 200 for letter 200 more if published
Draw and submit to your local newspaper a political cartoon representing the presidential race - 200 for cartoon 200 more if published
Color a map with your predictions of electoral college results (blue and red)
300 points
Take pictures and make a scrapbook of your experience doing this
Hold a mock debate on issues
Host a mock election
Watch the results as they come in on the evening news, mark a map by coloring the states with red or blue as called - 300 for completed map
500 points
Attend a candidate rally where the president, vice president or senate candidate is campaigning
Reading and Writing Assignments
50 points
Make a list of your government officials: national, state and local. Remember to pray for them by name daily
Read the US Constitution Bill of Rights, write what you understand them to mean in your life - 50 points per right
Memorize and recite the Bill of rights - 50 points per right
Draw a picture of the American flag - label the parts
Draw a picture of the White House
Play and sing patriotic music - 50 points per hour
Read your local newspaper and clip articles detaling current issues addressed by the current campaign - 50 points per article
Read and compare candidates positions on major political issues such as: economy, education, war in Iraq, homeland security, environment, energy, etc - 50 points per issue researched and discussed or written on
Discover the various Political Action Groups and endorsements supporting the candidates and discuss what that might show or mean about the candidates positions on issues - 50 each
Explain why each vote is important and how one vote can change an election
100 Points
List and explain ten changes you would make if you were president
Write and mail a letter to President George W Bush thanking him for the job he has done over the past 8 years as president
Write and mail a letter to Senator McCain, Senator Obama, Governor Palin or Senator Biden thanking them for their service to our country - 100 each
Write a report about what the US constitution says about the eligibility requirements to run for US President
Memorize and recite the Preamble to the Consitution
Research and list 10 reasons Americans should vote
List 10 ways the political parties differ - 10 points each
Take a current political issue and explain your viewpoint on it - compare or contrast to candidates
Read and explain the basic biographical background of the candidates - 100 each
200 points
Write a poem or song about what you hope America will be like when you are an adult
Discuss the election process from state primaries and caucuses through the conventions and election. Include specefics about your states caucus or primary
Learn about the history and present to an adult or write about and current platform of the main political parties (DNC, RNC, etc) - 200 per party
300 points
Research the history of the Electoral College then explain (orally or in writing) how it works, how it differs from popular vote, and why it was established
Read a biography of a past president, first lady, or out country;s founders. Non-readers: have parents or older sinling read aloud to you.
Read a book about the Secret Service and how the president and his family are protected
Read a book about the White House
Read a book written by each of the candidates - 300 per book
Memorize and recite the names of the Presidents in order of service to America
Memorize and recite the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Indepenedence
Research and explain the history and importance of third party candidates and parties and how they affect elections
Special points
Write an essay about "How the Outcome of the 2008 Presidential Election Could impact my life" - 1 point per word
By hand, coppy George Washingtong's "Rules of Civility" - 1o points for each rule written neatly
Write a summary of current articles found in the newspaper or online news source having to do with the election, issues or candidates - 1 point per word written
Write a list of: When your state joined the US, what the population of your state is, how many Congressional districts it has, the name of your Governor, US Senators and US Representatives - 10 points each
Watch School House rock - I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College, I'm Just a Bill and The Shot that was Heard around the world - 20 points each
Discover which Presidents have been homeschooled for some or all of their education - 20 points for each president found
*Material is based on material developed by Fran Eaten.
Campaigning and Political Action Hands on Activities
10 points
Pray daily for President, Vice president, senators running and for the election process - 10 points per day
Literature Drops - distribute literature, brochures, etc through neighborhood - 10 points per piece
Phone calling reminding people to vote or participate in phone bank - 10 points per call
25 points
Wear your campaign t-shirt, hat or button supporting your candidate - 25 points per day
Send out cards encouraging people to vote for your candidate - 25 points per card
Make cookies, wrap them individually and pass them out with a tag remining people to vote for your candidate - 25 per cookie
50 points
Encourage your parents and friends to volunteer for a campaign and receive email updates
Get permission and place campaign signs or bumper stickets in yards or windows - 50 points per piece
Draw a political cartoon about the presidential race
Watch and record the presidential and vice-presidential debates - 50 points each
Invite friends to watch the debate with you - 50 per friend who joins you
Ask friends/family who they thought won the debate and who they will vote for - compare the results
100 points
Make campaign posters for use at rallies or in windows or to sign wave with - 100 per sign
Visit the childhood home or presidential library of a president - 100 points each
Conduct a survey of 10 people (10 points per person interviewed) ask two questions "What three things do you think are most important about a Presidential candidate? and Which presidential candidate do you intend to vote for? Compare and graph results of questions - 100 points for graph of results
Attend a prayer support evening at local church for the presidents or conduct your own in your home
Go to the polls with someone who is voting
200 points
Visit your local campaign headquarters
Volunteer at local headquarts (stamping, envelopes, signs, copies, phone calling, etc) 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Door knocking, canvassing, sign waving, voter ID, etc - 200 per hour points double last 72 hours
Make your own campaigning t-shirt - 200 points each
Set up a voter registration booth at a local mall, neighborhood or other event
Register voters and hand deliver registrations - 200 per registration
Call a local talk radio station, share your age and why you think people should vote for a candidate or just vote in general
Write and film a 30 second commercial explaining why you believe your candidate should be elected
Write and submit a letter to the editor why you think people should support your candidate - 200 for letter 200 more if published
Draw and submit to your local newspaper a political cartoon representing the presidential race - 200 for cartoon 200 more if published
Color a map with your predictions of electoral college results (blue and red)
300 points
Take pictures and make a scrapbook of your experience doing this
Hold a mock debate on issues
Host a mock election
Watch the results as they come in on the evening news, mark a map by coloring the states with red or blue as called - 300 for completed map
500 points
Attend a candidate rally where the president, vice president or senate candidate is campaigning
Reading and Writing Assignments
50 points
Make a list of your government officials: national, state and local. Remember to pray for them by name daily
Read the US Constitution Bill of Rights, write what you understand them to mean in your life - 50 points per right
Memorize and recite the Bill of rights - 50 points per right
Draw a picture of the American flag - label the parts
Draw a picture of the White House
Play and sing patriotic music - 50 points per hour
Read your local newspaper and clip articles detaling current issues addressed by the current campaign - 50 points per article
Read and compare candidates positions on major political issues such as: economy, education, war in Iraq, homeland security, environment, energy, etc - 50 points per issue researched and discussed or written on
Discover the various Political Action Groups and endorsements supporting the candidates and discuss what that might show or mean about the candidates positions on issues - 50 each
Explain why each vote is important and how one vote can change an election
100 Points
List and explain ten changes you would make if you were president
Write and mail a letter to President George W Bush thanking him for the job he has done over the past 8 years as president
Write and mail a letter to Senator McCain, Senator Obama, Governor Palin or Senator Biden thanking them for their service to our country - 100 each
Write a report about what the US constitution says about the eligibility requirements to run for US President
Memorize and recite the Preamble to the Consitution
Research and list 10 reasons Americans should vote
List 10 ways the political parties differ - 10 points each
Take a current political issue and explain your viewpoint on it - compare or contrast to candidates
Read and explain the basic biographical background of the candidates - 100 each
200 points
Write a poem or song about what you hope America will be like when you are an adult
Discuss the election process from state primaries and caucuses through the conventions and election. Include specefics about your states caucus or primary
Learn about the history and present to an adult or write about and current platform of the main political parties (DNC, RNC, etc) - 200 per party
300 points
Research the history of the Electoral College then explain (orally or in writing) how it works, how it differs from popular vote, and why it was established
Read a biography of a past president, first lady, or out country;s founders. Non-readers: have parents or older sinling read aloud to you.
Read a book about the Secret Service and how the president and his family are protected
Read a book about the White House
Read a book written by each of the candidates - 300 per book
Memorize and recite the names of the Presidents in order of service to America
Memorize and recite the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Indepenedence
Research and explain the history and importance of third party candidates and parties and how they affect elections
Special points
Write an essay about "How the Outcome of the 2008 Presidential Election Could impact my life" - 1 point per word
By hand, coppy George Washingtong's "Rules of Civility" - 1o points for each rule written neatly
Write a summary of current articles found in the newspaper or online news source having to do with the election, issues or candidates - 1 point per word written
Write a list of: When your state joined the US, what the population of your state is, how many Congressional districts it has, the name of your Governor, US Senators and US Representatives - 10 points each
Watch School House rock - I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College, I'm Just a Bill and The Shot that was Heard around the world - 20 points each
Discover which Presidents have been homeschooled for some or all of their education - 20 points for each president found
*Material is based on material developed by Fran Eaten.
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