Understanding our representative democracy is an important part of the school curriculum. Educators must teach students how to exercise good citizenship skills at school and in every area of their lives. The Georgia Council for the Social Studies has taken the lead in providing The Presidential Election 2008 as a resource to help educators teach students about national elections, the importance of making informed and reasoned decisions, and implementing them by voting.

Each lesson in The Presidential Election 2008 begins with an outline for teaching which includes instructional objectives, a list of needed materials, and a sequenced list of procedures for implementing the lessons. Handouts and worksheets are included with each lesson making them easy to use. The CD contents are divided into two sections with lessons for the middle/secondary classroom and for the elementary classroom. A custom designed CD bookmark allows the teacher to easily navigate to any lesson from the table of contents.

This collection of lessons should be adjusted by the teacher to meet the needs, interests, and performance levels of students in the classroom. Some of the lessons may be used as enrichment and/or remediation for selected students rather than as basic information for all students. Basic skills such as map reading, interpretation of charts and graphs, and time and chronology relationships are infused into the lessons. Teachers are encouraged to select from the many activities. The materials are designed so the teacher may either (1) integrate individual lessons into the existing curriculum at appropriate points during the Fall 2008 campaign season and afterwards, or (2) use the lessons as a comprehensive stand-alone unit.

To view the table of contents, go to www.gcss.net/2008CDcontents.pdf.

GCSS members receive one free copy of the CD. Additional copies may be purchased for $8.00 each (which includes shipping and any applicable tax). Click here for CD flyer and order form.

© Georgia Council for the Social Studies