Readability: Above sixth

Possible hard words: Proper names: Ferguson-Florissant, Ritenour, Mehlville, Professor Tim O’Rourke, George W. Bush, Al Gore, Mel Carnahan, Bob Holden, Ashcroft, Talent

Other words: tabulators, comparisons, coordinates, guardians, majority, predominately, electronically, accompanies

BEFORE READING: Point out that because comparisons are being made, the reader has to attend closely to this article.  Suggest to the young reader that he or she read the article aloud to you.  Ask the young reader to go through the list of names and words first and tell him or her that you will help with words on the list or in the article later, if help is needed. Also explain that the article will be discussed after the reading

DURING READING: Try to keep the reading fluent by supplying words quickly where there is a problem with recognizing the words or names. 

AFTER READING: Compliment the young reader on his or her oral reading.  Use questions such as the following to stimulate a discussion of the article.

1. What do you think the writer was referring to when he pointed out that the kids’ voting went a lot smoother than the national presidential election?
2. What made the kids’ ballots better than the ones used by adults in the election?
3. What was the problem that occurred in the kids’ voting?  How was it solved?
4. Do you think going to all this trouble to let kids vote is worthwhile?  Why or why not?