In preparation for this year’s election, Yavneh Academy eighth grade students researched different aspects of elections and government, and created interactive presentations for the fifth and sixth grade students. The younger students arrived at the Election Fair eager to build on the information they learned about government and the upcoming election in their social studies classes.
Eighth grade students researched a variety of topics that included important historical events related to presidents and elections, as well as current election issues and candidates at the local and national levels. The eighth graders incorporated engaging slideshows and physical displays or games that showcased their research. The projects included detailed dioramas of the evolution of the election process, and how suffrage was expanded to include more people over time. Detailed art pieces showed candidates on the debate stage. One group’s skit allowed fair visitors to step into the shoes of candidates running for office. The visitors enjoyed playing themed games such as Local Elections Jeopardy, Contested Election Bingo, Caught in the Crossroads Matching and First Ladies Bean Bag Toss. Another topic included in the fair was the history of campaign advertising. These groups researched historical television and radio advertisements, as well as campaign buttons, bumper stickers and billboards. The students incorporated their artistic recreations of these ads into their own 3D models and scenes. As visitors went through the fair, they felt as though they were in a 1950s living room watching a TV commercial or driving down the highway in 1980s America. These groups also examined the origins of different types of campaign advertising and how rules for campaign advertising developed over time.
As the fifth and sixth grade students circulated the booths at the fair, they played Election Fair Bingo by answering questions on a Bingo board. The eighth grade students enjoyed sharing their learning with their peers and teachers. In addition to highlighting the importance of understanding current election information, the projects showcased the importance of understanding the history of the election process in America.
