The Electoral College is a complex concept in American politics. To introduce this topic in a Montessori classroom, we’ve developed a unique hands-on material that allows children to explore the electoral process in a concrete and engaging way. Children will learn how presidential candidates receive electoral votes. They will learn how each state has a determined number of electoral votes based on its population, and that there are a total of 538 electoral votes. A candidate needs a minimum of 270 votes to win. The material contains charts with data sets so that children can see patterns across time. Below are the components of the material, Electoral College Complete Set:
State Cutouts: 100 cutouts for each state, divided into two colors (Republican and Democrat) to represent party affiliation.
Large Cloth Chart: A chart with the United States map and state outlined.
Election Data Charts: Two charts displaying election data for specific years (1936, 1960, 1976, 1984, 2000, 2016), categorizing states as Democratic, Republican, swing, big margin (Democratic or Republican), and slim margin (Democratic or Republican).
Teacher/Parents Answer Key Booklet: A guide for teachers and parents to help them understand the material and answer the task cards
Task Cards: Cards with questions and tasks related to the Electoral College, such as:
- Define “electoral vote,” “vote,” and “United States House of Representatives”
- Identify states with the most electoral votes
- Calculate the number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency
- Simulate an election using the state cutouts
- Analyze election data for specific years (1936, 1960, 1976, 1984, 2000, 2016) and identify trends
Electoral College Chart and Cutouts
Using the state cutouts, children can simulate elections and explore how different outcomes can occur. They can also practice identifying states on the large cloth chart.
Electoral College Task Cards
The task cards are divided into 2 sections: Flashcards and Activities. The first section asks learners for defining terms related to the elections. The second section requires learners to select a specific year and analyze various aspects of an election on that given year.
Electoral College – Data Set Charts
The election data set charts provide opportunities for children to analyze trends, compare results, and develop critical thinking skills. It provides six examples including data such as: Swing states, big margin states, slim margin states.
Electoral College Answer Key
The Electoral College Answer Key booklet contains the answers to the task cards for each year: 1936, 1960, 1976, 1984, 2000, and 2016. It also contains a colorful map of the election result for each year. You may share this visual with your learners once the cloth chart is completed with the appropriate cutouts.
Our exclusive complete set on the Electoral College is a valuable tool for introducing this complex topic to Montessori children. By providing a concrete and engaging experience, this material helps children develop a deeper understanding of the American political system. For more Montessori-aligned materials, visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
Related materials: Presidents of the United States Charts with Card, The Three Branches of Government
