FREE Election 2012 Resources from iCivics - Repost

As the election grows closer I wanted to repost this information in case anyone missed it the first time through -

Election 2012! | iCivics:


Teachers, register for a free account and choose from a variety of specially-designed materials including games, lesson plans, and more to bring this year's election into your classroom!

The primaries, the conventions, the campaign trail... November 6th, 2012 is growing ever closer so iCivics has put together special election-focused curriculum packages to bring the presidential election into your classroom. Choose from a three or five day approach, or even run your own mock election using iCivics' proven lesson plans and games. We've also put together a selection of one-day activities and additional resources for you and your students.

Three Day Election Curriculum
Day One: The Electoral Process
Take a peek into the electoral process- from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.

Day Two: Candidate Evaluation
Students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process are also discussed.
Day Three: Win the White House (game)
In Win the White House, you get to manage your very own presidential campaign by strategically raising funds, polling voters, launching media campaigns, and making personal appearances. Keep a close eye on the map as you battle over electoral votes and popular support. 



Five Day Election Curriculum

Day One: The Electoral Process
Take a peek into the electoral process- from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.
Day Two: Candidate Evaluation
Students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process are also discussed.
Days Three and Four: One Big Party
After taking a broad picture look at the different hats parties wear, students take a quick look at the impact of political party systems. On day two, guide students through the impact of the two major political parties in the United States. From examining the political spectrum to analyzing their own stances on several current issues, students will walk away understanding the complexity of the two-party system. 
Day 5: Win the White House (game)
 In Win the White House, you get to manage your very own presidential campaign by strategically raising funds, polling voters, launching media campaigns, and making personal appearances. Keep a close eye on the map as you battle over electoral votes and popular support. 


Mock Election (Three Days)
Overview
Day 1: Party Formation and Nominations
Assign students to a party and hold a primary election.
Day 2: Campaigning
Students create campaign materials for their party and nominee.
Day 3: Rules, Election and Reflection
Students create election rules, review ballot options, vote, and reflect on the election process.



One Day Activities
Voting Rights 
Explore the evolution of voting rights in the Unites States through an interactive PowerPoint presentation highlighting landmark changes. Following the presentation and class discussion, students apply the new knowledge of voting legislation to individual scenarios through a class activity. 
Cast Your Vote (game)
What issues do you want to ask candidates about? In Cast Your Vote, choose the questions in a debate, rate responses, and vote for the candidate of your choice.

Additional Resources
Election Glossary
A glossary of election-related terms ranging from acceptance speech to voting age.
Election Resources
Resources including nonpartisan candidate evaluation and information, the presidential debate calendar, and a compendium of political advertisements from the 1950s onward.

'via Blog this'

Election 2012! | iCivics - FREE Resources

Election 2012! | iCivics:


Teachers, register for a free account and choose from a variety of specially-designed materials including games, lesson plans, and more to bring this year's election into your classroom!

The primaries, the conventions, the campaign trail... November 6th, 2012 is growing ever closer so iCivics has put together special election-focused curriculum packages to bring the presidential election into your classroom. Choose from a three or five day approach, or even run your own mock election using iCivics' proven lesson plans and games. We've also put together a selection of one-day activities and additional resources for you and your students.

Three Day Election Curriculum
Day One: The Electoral Process
Take a peek into the electoral process- from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.

Day Two: Candidate Evaluation
Students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process are also discussed.
Day Three: Win the White House (game)
In Win the White House, you get to manage your very own presidential campaign by strategically raising funds, polling voters, launching media campaigns, and making personal appearances. Keep a close eye on the map as you battle over electoral votes and popular support. 



Five Day Election Curriculum

Day One: The Electoral Process
Take a peek into the electoral process- from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.
Day Two: Candidate Evaluation
Students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process are also discussed.
Days Three and Four: One Big Party
After taking a broad picture look at the different hats parties wear, students take a quick look at the impact of political party systems. On day two, guide students through the impact of the two major political parties in the United States. From examining the political spectrum to analyzing their own stances on several current issues, students will walk away understanding the complexity of the two-party system. 
Day 5: Win the White House (game)
 In Win the White House, you get to manage your very own presidential campaign by strategically raising funds, polling voters, launching media campaigns, and making personal appearances. Keep a close eye on the map as you battle over electoral votes and popular support. 


Mock Election (Three Days)
Overview
Day 1: Party Formation and Nominations
Assign students to a party and hold a primary election.
Day 2: Campaigning
Students create campaign materials for their party and nominee.
Day 3: Rules, Election and Reflection
Students create election rules, review ballot options, vote, and reflect on the election process.



One Day Activities
Voting Rights 
Explore the evolution of voting rights in the Unites States through an interactive PowerPoint presentation highlighting landmark changes. Following the presentation and class discussion, students apply the new knowledge of voting legislation to individual scenarios through a class activity. 
Cast Your Vote (game)
What issues do you want to ask candidates about? In Cast Your Vote, choose the questions in a debate, rate responses, and vote for the candidate of your choice.

Additional Resources
Election Glossary
A glossary of election-related terms ranging from acceptance speech to voting age.
Election Resources
Resources including nonpartisan candidate evaluation and information, the presidential debate calendar, and a compendium of political advertisements from the 1950s onward.

'via Blog this'

Don't Do Drugs Stay Out Of School - Book Review

Don’t Do Drugs Stay Out Of School challenges parents everywhere to rethink the necessity of conventional schooling. Probing questions explore the concepts of learning and childhood development and offer the suggestion that perhaps a life without school is healthier for children and thus for the world. Is learning the real purpose of school? Does school offer true educational value? Is there a better way? How can children learn and grow without school in their lives? How has the school culture affected society in the last hundred years? - description from UnpluggedMom.com

In Don't Do Drugs Stay Out of School the reader is taken on a journey through recent history as Laurette Lynn points out the undeniable correlation between our societal decline in educational acheivements, health, family connection and personal drive and the evolution of compulsory schooling. Laurette has taken some of the most common points, that are often presented in a disunited manner, and concisely connects the dots to allow the reader a chance to step back and see the real picture - SCHOOL IS NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN!!! 


Unlike others that have come before her, Laurette also gives a clear outline to the educational solution which emphasizes learning independently, as well as through cooperative community based learning programs and apprenticeships. These keys are currently working throughout the nation for freely educated children everywhere. 


As always Laurette does not tell you what to think, but presents you with a number of scenarios and facts, daring you to look deeper for yourself and your children! Anyone who reads this book and still thinks school is the "right place" for children should NOT have them! BRAVA Laurette!!! I can't imagine anyone laying things out any clearer! 

Acing Math - One Deck at a Time - FREE Ebook

Acing Math - One Deck at a Time is a collection of math games ranging from Kindergarten to the upper elementary grades, using only an ordinary deck of playing cards.  There are games covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percents, decimals, patterns, positive and negative integers, as well as many others. This is produced by the Positive Engagement Project and is only one of MANY free resources available on their site. 

You Tube Monday - Horrible Histories - Animated Series

After last weeks post, I got lots of questions about the animated version, but all I could find online was this intro and one clip. You can however purchase the DVD set on Amazon  and not only is it worth the money, you can usually resell it and get your money back when you are done.