Notable Trade Books Judy D. Butler Contributing Editor There are two exciting books in the Notable Trade Books Section in this issue. Both involve classroom activities beyond reading. Students are encouraged to elect a class president and reenact a medieval village. These are great social studies activities and fine illustrations of how reading across the curriculum is still a vital tool. Hope you enjoy! We have also created something new for those who would like to publish in Social Studies Research and Practice. We are including in this issue guidelines for publication. We feel that developing lesson plans will be easier and reviews of manuscripts will go smoother if these guidelines are followed. Hope you find them helpful. Pete for President! Text copyright 2004 Daisy Alberto. Illustrations copyright 2004 by Blanche Sims. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Kane Press, NY. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Text copyright 2007 Laura Amy Schlitz. Illustrations copyright 2007 Robert Byrd. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA. Volume 4 Number 3 97 November 2009
Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan Pete for President Written by Daisy Alberto & Illustrated by Blanche Sims Tracy Gawel Larson Jonesboro High School Jonesboro, Georgia Danilo M. Baylen University of West Georgia This lesson plan focuses on the election process that takes place in a K-12 classroom every year, i.e., the election of a class president. Concepts presented parallels in the language and processes involved in electing The President of the United States, so it can be used to support the teaching the teaching of an American Government course. It can be used with almost any age level, but this lesson plan is designed specifically for a senior high school class. It uses a trade book entitled Pete for President to engage the students in a life-like, fun story about two friends caught in the excitement of an election process and have to deal with the impending challenge on their friendship. Book Title Pete for President by Daisy Alberto (2004) (Notable, 2005). Illustrated by Blance Sims New York: The Kane Press ISBN-10: 1575651424 ISBN-13: 978-1575651422 Book Summary NCSS Standards Pete and Joey have been lifelong friends and competitors. They are now in the third grade and a new competition has arisen: the presidency of the third grade. Both boys take on the challenge and have gone through the nomination process. They campaign, mudsling, make false promises, and debate. At the debate, they find they have no platform when another student points out all the things around the school that need to be improved, and she ends up winning the election. This book also has tidbits of information about the actual presidential election. Standard Topics V. Individuals, Groups, and Institution VI. Power, Authority, and Governance X. Civic Ideals and Practices Volume 4 Number 3 98 November 2009
Materials Classroom copies of Pete for President Pencils and paper Venn diagrams A set of note cards of vocabulary words for each group List of people running for various offices in the next election White board, markers, eraser Objectives Students in Grade 12 will Describe the Presidential election process. Describe voter s rights and responsibilities. Use appropriate vocabulary with regard to voting processes and procedures. Make connections with the characters in Pete for President and relate the activities in the story to the real-life elections. Procedures * Exploration/ Introduction * Previous Lesson: Lecture on Electoral Process in American Presidential Elections 1. Before reading, ask students if they have ever run for class officer or voted in a class election. What were the procedures? Were the outcomes what you had expected? Why do you think the people won? What were their qualifications? 2. Read Pete for President with the class 3. Complete a Venn diagram comparing the American Presidential election process and Pete for President using the notes from yesterday s lecture in small groups 4. Use white board to compile all the ideas of the students, make suggestions, additions, etc. Development 5. Pass out cards to students with the following vocabulary: Republican Democrat Green Party Independent Libertarian Elector Incumbent Caucus Presidential Candidate Conservative Liberal Dark Horse Constituent Grass roots Poll Primary Election Precinct Electoral College Volume 4 Number 3 99 November 2009
6. Students may use their notes, books, or the Internet to research what these people, places, or things represent in an election and how they will be applicable in this coming election. 7. Students will present their findings to the class, including examples in the upcoming election, and a 10 X 13 poster with the word, definition, and example to be posted in the class. Expansion Students may use local, national, and international newspapers (students may use http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/) with articles pertaining to the people who are running in the upcoming election. These articles will be compiled to create a bank of information for the students to make informed decisions about their candidates. Assessment Are students in Grade 12 able to Describe the (Presidential) election process. Describe voter s rights and responsibilities. Use appropriate vocabulary with regard to voting processes and procedures. Make connections with the characters in Pete for President and relate the activities in the story to the real-life elections. Student learning will be evaluated using the following student-produced artifacts: Venn diagrams to compare-contrast two sides of a political issue or two competing candidates political platforms Political campaign posters Political campaign presentations (electronic) Narrative that describes the challenges and lessons learned from a first person perspective about experiences in the voting process. Students are expected to use at least 8-10 vocabulary words. Suggested Extension Activities Extra credit opportunities will be given for reflection papers involving the following election-related activities: Helping with a campaign Attending a political event Participating in a political debate Interviewing someone running for office Volume 4 Number 3 100 November 2009
Additional References and Weblinks Brevard, K. M., & Miller, D. (2008). Political elections. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. Barnett, C., III (Illustrator) ISBN-10: 1429613335; ISBN-13: 978-1429613330 A book with numerous images related to presidential elections. The book provides basic information using cartoon characters to highlight key points about the election process. Its content covers the history of elections including ending discriminatory practices, political campaigns through the ages, and voting practices. Christelow, E. (2003). Vote! New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN- 10: 0547059736; ISBN-13: 978-0547059730 A picture book about a woman running for mayor. The story chronicles her political activities which begin with campaigning in a park with her family, including her daughter, Angela, and dog, Elmer. Angela asks questions that are answered by a narrator, and another dog (Sparky) asks other political questions which are answered by Elmer. Congressional Quarterly, Inc. (1987). Presidential elections since 1789. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press. ISBN-10: 0871874318; ISBN- 13: 978-0871874313 This book has maps, charts, and other data presented about how each president was elected. The maps show which states voted for whom, and the charts show primary voting outcomes by state, and Presidential elections by year, by state, and by candidate. DeLaney, A. (2002). Politics for dummies. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing, Inc. ISBN-10: 0764508873; ISBN-13: 978-0764508875 The book contains information about politics and political processes. It describes various elected positions at local, state, and federal levels. It discusses financing election-related activities; voting and supporting the electoral process as an individual responsibility and civic duty; issues involving political agenda vis-a-vis people s needs; the power of the Internet in the political world; choosing political parties; and engagement with the electoral process for the Presidency through fundraising and marketing. Gutman, D. (2000). Landslide: A kid's guide to the U.S. elections. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN-10: 0689835914; ISBN-13: 978-0689835919 This is a book of questions for a child asking about elections beginning with Why do we have a President? The answers are concise and easy to understand. Topics include role of the President; current system of government; presidential campaigns; qualifications for eligibility; voter s rights; the election process; and the Electoral College. Volume 4 Number 3 101 November 2009
Hewson, M. (2002). The electoral college. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House Publishers. ISBN-10: 0791067904; ISBN-13: 978-0791067901 This is a fact and discussion book about the government and how it works. It discusses the mixed feelings that people have with regard to trusting their governments. Topics include the controversy of the 2000 Presidential Election; creation of the Electoral College; and various political maneuvers and scandals. Lansford, T. (Ed.). (2008). The presidential election process. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press. ISBN-10: 0737738936; ISBN-13: 978-0737738933 This book provides the two sides of the debate for those who understand the basics of voting but limited on the specifics. Topics include information on the nomination process; national conventions and primaries; campaign spending, finance reform, contributions, and public financing; influences of media; and the Electoral College. O'Donnell, J. J. (1976). Every vote counts: A teen age guide to the electoral process. New York, NY: Julian Messner. ISBN-10: 0671327925; ISBN-13: 9780671327934 This book used a second person form and is written for teenagers. It takes a teenagers point of view by using the analogy of their school to understand how the Presidency works. It provides numerous but relevant topics for students to think about and is written for easy comprehension. Peterson, H. S. (1970). Electing our presidents. Champaign, IL: Garrard Publishing Company. ISBN-10: 0811665038; ISBN-13: 978-0811665032 This book provides information on how presidents were elected through the 1970s. Also, it provides information on the founding of the Electoral College including specific historical debates, changes in voting rights, decisions made by the House of Representatives on the presidency, and reasons for term limitations. About the Authors Tracy Gawel Larson is a media specialist at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia. She is a graduate student in the specialist degree program in School Library Media at the University of West Georgia. Danilo M. Baylen is an Associate Professor of media and instructional technology in the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. He teaches courses in instructional design, instructional technology, integrating technology into the curriculum, multimedia, and resources for children and young adults. As primary contact for this article, he can be contacted at dbaylen@westga.edu Citation for this Article Larson, T. G., & Baylen, D. M. (2009). Notable trade book lesson plan: Pete for President. Social Science Research and Practice, 4(3), 98-102. Retrieved from /issues/pdf/4.3.9.pdf Volume 4 Number 3 102 November 2009