• Home
  • About
  • FREE Resource Library
  • Blog
  • Complete List of Products
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Special Needs for Special Kids

Providing you tools to save time and build confidence teaching students with the most significant disabilities

October 19, 2020

Should you teach about the presidential election in 2020?

This year the presidential election is November 3. If you are looking for some ways to teach your students about this democratic process without getting in the weeds of the politics, then here are some great ways to approach teaching about the upcoming election in your special ed classroom.

Textbook

I know most of you are thinking, what textbook? Either you are not given a textbook or the ones you are given are totally inappropriate and inaccessible to your students. That is why I like to create my own in powerpoint. It does not really take that long, and the benefits are long lasting. Not only do I read the book before every lesson (yes, every single lesson of my 12 day plan for this unit starts off reading the same book), but once I have theses books printed, laminated and put together, they go in my classroom library. Students LOVE looking through past books you have used in class. And because you read it aloud so many times, students can often read these to themselves or to a peer.

If you want a step by step guide on how to go about writing your own book, CLICK HERE.

Vocabulary

As with most topics, there is an entire new set of words that may be unfamiliar to many of our students. Most kids pick up new words from the people and the environment (including social media) around them. But, our kids often have trouble for various reasons being able to do the same. Therefore, we need to intentionally teach the vocabulary necessary to fully understand a new topic.

I like to read through the general ed material and pick out 15-20 words that I think my students will struggle with, but are worth learning. Next, I find a picture to pair the new word with, and come up with as simple a definition as possible. Oftentimes you will need to be creative in finding an appropriate image. Think like your students. What do want them to picture in their minds when they hear the word “campaign?”

Of course students will need a lot practice to learn these new words. In addition, they will need to use them in various ways to help with generalization and build some foundation for future use in other topics. That is why I like to do a group activity with any new vocabulary every day.

To get a list and directions for great group activities using vocabulary cards (or a board) CLICK HERE.

Activities

The next step is to think of an activity you can do each day that will tie together the book and the new vocabulary in a way that takes it a step further. For the election process, I am thinking of all the steps involved from states holding primaries to the general election in November. There are also the various parties involved and what the primary pillars or beliefs of each are. We can even see how different and similar these parties are through sorting activities and a Venn diagram.

I like to use pretty much the same activities for most of my units.

Here are some of my favorites: (*= included in this unit)

  • Circle maps *
  • Venn Diagrams *
  • Sorting activities
  • Matching activities
  • Sequencing steps *
  • Timelines
  • Labeling
  • Writing prompts *

If at all possible, I try to differentiate these so I have 2 levels of the same activity. That may mean including only correct answers for the circle map, or it may mean adding color coding. There are lots of ways you can differentiate these activities. I have 2 blog posts that go into more detail:

  • 3 Ways to Add Differentiation CLICK HERE
  • 10 Ways to use a Circle Map CLICK HERE

If you would like to download the activity: sequencing the steps to the presidential election, then click the button below. There is a link to a digital version of this activity as well!!

The main idea is what are the 3-5 big ideas you want your kids to walk away with. They are not going to be able to remember or process all the details and steps that go into a presidential election, but they can understand that it is a process that takes time and involves different groups wanting to achieve different goals.

Assessment

The final step is assessing how much your students have learned about the election process or if you need to do some reteaching. The first thing I like to do are some simple fill-in-the-blank worksheets. That way I can focus on a small amount of information and better identify areas my students got stuck. For this particular unit, I created one worksheet on the Democratic party, one on the Republican party, and two on the election process.

At the end of the unit, I typically give a 10 question assessment. I have several formats to accommodate various learning levels. The great thing, is you can (and should) give this assessment at the beginning of the unit as a pre-assessment. That way you have the perfect way to measure growth.

I know teaching about the presidential election process may seem very overwhelming in a special education setting. This is especially true if you have students who are reading at an early elementary level, or perhaps are non-readers. I hope this post gave you some encouragement and ideas.

Of course, if you just need to save time, I have this unit ready to go. It is based on high school standards and comes in a printable/pdf format as well as a digital format. There are some great engaging activities included that will get your students truly involved in learning about the election process.

Check these units out here.

The Election Process in the United States (printable) CLICK HERE

The Presidential Election for distance learning CLICK HERE

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous
Next

SHOP

Check out my resources

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi!

I'm Christa Joy

My mission is to give parents and teachers the tools they need in order to feel effective and confident teaching even the most challenging of students.
Read More

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

New on the Blog

Best strategies for behavior management: a roundup of 10 posts and helpful downloads

California Gold Rush for kids in special education classrooms

Hands-on activities for rocks and minerals in a special education classroom

My Shop

Complete curriculum units in math, ELA, science, social studies as well as social story units for students Pre-K through high school.

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet. Have you ever had your students write a story? This is a great way to start. Download the free worksheet this week and get your students writing a story about their perfect day. Message me for the link or go to my bio. Download it here: https://bit.ly/2OW3lmQ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
What does your perfect day look like? Give your s What does your perfect day look like? Give your students a chance to describe their perfect day using either their own words and pictures or choosing from some that are provided. If you want to get this worksheet free this Wednesday then send me a DM and I will get you the info. #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #myperfectday
Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior strategy or social story? I know parents are teachers are BUSY!! . So, I pulled together my top 10 blog posts that contain strategies for behavior management in the classroom, home, and the community. Al in one easy-to-find place and clickable list. . It includes: Attention Seeking Behavior: Strategies for the classroom Power Cards: an effective behavior management tool Dealing with profanity in the classroom Picture schedule for home: An effective and easy tool for behavior management How to solve this common behavior problem Escape behavior interventions for school and home Being a Good Sport Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1 Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2 Safety in the community for the individual, you, and the public. . The best part! They ALL have a free download to help you out, NOW, when you need it most. . Send me a DM for the link, or read more here: https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/2021/02/22/best-strategies-for-behavior-management-a-roundup-of-10-posts-and-helpful-downloads/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #behaviormanagement #behaviorstrategies
This year.... I stepped back from making new resou This year.... I stepped back from making new resources this year so I could spend time updating, expanding, and (honestly) improving some older units. With almost 800 resources this is a BIG commitment. It will likely take me all of 2021 to get through my novel units. But I am determined and know it will be worth it in the long run for YOU. For teachers who work with those students who are the MOST severely impacted. That is where my 💕 lies. With those teachers who are determined to do what no one thinks is possible. I want you to have the best tools possible so you can focus your attention, time and energy on teaching and not hunting for resources. It may be a long year, but I am devoted to this mission and these teachers. #specialneedsforspecialkids #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher
FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads adde FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads added to the Free Resource Library. A little ELA, a little math, and a little life skills practice. . Something for everyone. Click the link in my bio. Find this image, and head over. . Need the password? Message me to sign up. . https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/resource-library/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeresourcelibrary #distancelearning
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free w FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free worksheet this Wednesday. The digital version has an additional step for students to complete. ❤️️💚💙 . Want the link? Just MESSAGE ME, and I will send you the direct link to the worksheet so you can use it today!! #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? N Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? Need some ideas on how to make this work for students in a special education setting with significant challenges? . I have ideas on books, activities, vocabulary, assessment, and MORE!! With the right materials, this can be a fun time period to teach about. . Head over to my latest blog post for some great ideas and a free panning for gold activity you can download. . Click the link in my bio or DM me for the link. #specialneedsforspecialkids #californiagoldrush #socialstudiesteacher
I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating a I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating and expanding James and the Giant Peach :). . I have separated it into 2 separate units. One is completely in color and one is complete in black and white. . I also added comprehension questions. There are 3 questions for each chapter (these chapters are so short) with 3 picture answer choices. . Remember, if you already own it, you get all these updates for free. . DM me for the direct link to check it out 🙂 #specialedteacher #jamesandthegiantpeach #roalddahl
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Special Needs for Special Kids · Hello You Designs