Readability:  Seventh grade

Possible hard words: Proper names: Ritenour, Timothy O’Rourke, Jackie Kofsky, Sue Houston, Barb Morris Other words: presidential, referendum, stimulate, participation, cross-curricular, identical, emphasis, badgered

BEFORE READING: Point out that this article is about students in an elementary school holding their own elections.  Ask the reader if he or she has been following the present presidential campaigns and the preparations for the national election. Ask the reader to read the words from the possible hard words list.  If the reader has trouble with no more than three of the words, ask him or her to read the article silently and be ready to discuss it.  If 4 to 6 words are missed, ask the reader to read the article aloud to you.  If more than six words are missed, you offer to read it aloud so that the article can be discussed.

DURING READING:  If the reader is reading silently, tell them to ask for help with any words they find difficult.  If the reader is reading it aloud, help out with any words that stump him or her as they read.  If you are reading it aloud, tell the child they may interrupt at any point if they are not understanding what they are hearing.

AFTER READING: Use question such as the following to check comprehension and to promote a discussion of the article.

1. What kinds of things are done to help the school kids feel they are participating in the national, state, and local elections?
2. What group administers the program in the St. Louis area?  Where is it located?
3. How do the art and math classes get involved with the campaign?
4. What do these mock elections cause the kids to do about their parents’ voting in November?
5. Would you like your school to participate in Kids Voting USA? Why or why not?