Don’t you love teaching during an election year?
To be honest this is actually only my second election as a homeschooler.
But this year I’m really excited because this is the first year that I’ll have TWO students
that actually understand and grasp what I’m teaching.
So, I decided that now would be a great time to start a notebook on American Government.
I say “start” because I think this is going to be something we add to over the years.
One of my favorite things about notebooking is that you can open
up the notebook and add another sheet. It’s buildable knowlege.
The goal is that over the months and years the notebook will become familiar. Memorable even.
A visual representation for facts and truths that my children can draw upon in future years.
So to set-up the notebook I simply divided our binder into sections.
Obviously, I had to make printables….cause normal store bought dividers would NEVER do.
I also premade a few thematic minibooks for the children to fill in as we learn.
I used these resources:
Patriotic Shape Books
Let’s Learn Minibooks: Our Nation
For each section I thought I’d share some of the resources we’ll be adding in this year:
Constitution:
Printable Consitution Booklet
Amazing Constitution Printables from Joy Christian School
Founding Fathers Memory Game
Branches of Government Printable from Not So Wimpy Resources
Tons of Constitution Printables from this great Squidoo Lens
Executive Branch:
Presidential Nominee Fact Sheets
Paper White House Craft
White House Contact Information
so children can write a letter to the president.
Executive Branch Online Learning
Legislative Branch:
My Senators/My Representitives Fact Sheets
Last year we took a trip to our state capitol! I would highly recommend taking your children too!
We are including the photos, postcards, flattened pennies and other memorabilia in this section.
I hope we can expand this section when my children are older.
Judicial Branch
Hmmmm….a trip to the courthouse maybe?…
About our State:
Basic Facts about our State.
State Coloring Pages
State Flower/Bird/Animal Printables
State Coin
Mini Lapbook from Fortunately for You Books.
General Links:
Star Spangled Banner Printables
Patriotic Stationary from Busy Bee Kids Printables
Separation of Powers Flap Book
U.S. Symbols Matching Game
National Landmark File Folder Game
Fantastic List of MORE Election Resources from Spell Outloud
So that’s what we’ve got so far!
I’d love if you’d leave me any links or ideas for teaching about the Judicial branch,
that one has me creatively blocked for some reason :)
