08.+Electoral+College

[|**The Electoral College Map**] (Recommended for all ages) Help students understand the math behind the vote for President with this interactive map. Did you find this tool helpful? [|Let us know].
 * Learning activities**
 * Check out the results of the 2004 election, and decide which states each candidate needs to pick up or hold onto to win in November.
 * Explore which combinations of "swing states" might help decide the election.
 * Learn how the electoral college results have changed since 1980.



See also: [|The Primary Results Map], where students can view results of the primary elections right down to the county level.

A) Display the following map to students:

Image Courtesy of Dept. of the Interior. B) Have students answer these questions: 1) Which regions voted Federalist? 2) Which states voted Democratic Republican? 3) What does the yellow area stand for? 4) Which states had the greatest number of electoral votes? 5) How similar is the distribution of Electoral votes in the east today as compared to 1800? **Homework (Independent Practice): Comparing 1800 to 2008** A) Have students locate an electoral college map of the 2000, 2004 and 2008 elections. B) Have students identify similarities between the two election. Have them also discuss differences. C) Have students create a cartoon or poster for the Election of 1800 that supports one side or the other. Instruct students to use symbols for Federalist and Democratic-Republican Parties similar to donkey and elephant seen for the modern parties. D) Have students explain their cartoon or poster to the class.

**Debate: The Electoral College: Should It be Abandoned?** Evaluation: The lesson will be evaluated by:
 * 1) Have students discuss the purpose of the Electoral College. Inform students that the Electoral College allows smaller states and rural areas to have equal power to large states and populated areas.
 * 2) Have students write a short essay describing why the Electoral College was created and stating whether or not they believe it should be changed or abolished.
 * The accuracy of student's written responses;
 * Student's scores on future tests and quizzes.

Keep track of interest in the candidates and the issues by learning which search terms are most popular on Google.com.
 * [|Google Trends]** (Recommended for: Middle Schoolers and up)

**Learning activities** Did you find this tool helpful? [|Let us know]. **[|Google Sites]** (Recommended for: Students ages 13 and up) Build an election-focused website by creating and editing pages, uploading files and embedding photos, videos, documents, presentations, calendars, charts and more.
 * Research the election and use Blogger to collect articles, quotes, photos and videos.
 * Write about the issues, and discuss the challenges and opportunities the next president will face.

Did you find this tool helpful? [|Let us know]. **[|Google Presentations]** (Recommended for: Students ages 13 and up) Create, collaborate on and share professional-looking presentations about the candidates and issues.
 * Learning activities**
 * Working alone or collaborating with others, create a "guide to the election" or "guide to the issues" website.
 * Collect articles, photos and videos on important issues, and get students to add their opinions and analysis.
 * Invite your class to create a site comparing the positions of all of the candidates on the ballot in November.

Did you find this tool helpful? [|Let us know].
 * Learning activities**
 * Create a MyMap to explore local history and landmarks.
 * Chart the travels of the candidates on the campaign trail.