October 19, 2016 : The Electoral College

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in The Denver Post. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers

Click here to download the PDF for this lesson

Activities:

1. Divide a large piece of paper into two sections. In one section, paste newspaper names or photos of the Republican candidates running for yo ur state and national offices. In the other section, paste newspaper names or photos of Democrats running for your state and national offices.

2. Look at the list of states in The Mini Page. How many elector al votes does your state have? Find two states that have more votes than your state (unless you’re Texas or California); then find two states that have fewer votes.

3. Find a map in your newspaper that shows the projected electoral vote winners. Which candidate is ahead? By how much? What states could you change to give the other candidate the most votes? ( Your newspaper may show a list of states instead of a map. )

4. How are these related to the Electoral College : (a) Jan . 6, (b) Dec . 2 - 16, (c) Maine and Nebraska, and (d) Nov. 8 , 2016?

5. Make a “Don’t Forget to Vote Poster.” Include as many reasons as you can for people to vote.

Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page content and offer activities that will help your students reach them.

This week's standard:
Students understand the ideas, principles and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic. (Social studies: Civics)

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)