Election Day might be 292 days away, but the 2016 Presidential Election is currently at the top of everyone’s minds! As the Republican and Democratic candidates campaign for support across the country, this is a great opportunity to introduce and engage kids in current events through learning about democracy and our country’s electoral process.
To immerse kids in the election and enhance the news stories found in the award-winning Scholastic classroom magazines, the editors of Scholastic News® today announced the launch of the Scholastic News Election 2016 website! The new site features age-appropriate news and information about the electoral process, including:
- Candidate cards that give kids the facts on each presidential hopeful
- Election tracker map that will be updated with primary and caucus results
- Election timeline highlighting key dates and events leading up to the general election
- News stories written by Scholastic News editors
- News stories written by Kid Reporters ages 10–14 from the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps, the country’s oldest and largest national student reporting program
Keep an eye out! Before the general election in November, additional features will be published on the Scholastic News Election 2016 website, including an Electoral College map, detailed profiles of the final candidates, and the Scholastic Student Vote, a mock-election that allows kids across the country to cast their votes for President of the United States online, or through print ballots for Scholastic News magazine subscribers.
Fun Fact: Since 1940, the outcomes of the Scholastic Student Vote have mirrored the outcomes of every general election, except two: in 1948, students selected Thomas E. Dewey over Harry S. Truman; and in 1960, students selected Richard M. Nixon over John F. Kennedy.
To follow the Scholastic News Kid Reporters as they cover the campaign trail, be sure to follow the Scholastic News Kids Press Corp on Twitter: @KidsPress.
