Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

More Children Grow Up in a Non-voting Household Parental voting habits have a significant influence on whether a young person will vote

Kids Voting USA Helps Reverse the Negative Trend Students learn the importance of voting and being involved Develop skills needed to be informed, participating citizens

Kids Voting USA Helps Reverse the Negative Trend Learn how to have a voice in the decision-making process Voter turnout for 18-year-old KVUSA participants is 14 percentage points higher

Kids Voting USA Increases Adult Voter Turnout 3% - 5% increase in adult voting Kids impact their parents through the “trickle up” effect 81% of KVUSA teachers reported increased parent involvement

Kids Voting USA Is Unique – Students “Learn by Doing” Participate in an authentic voting experience using a ballot that replicates the adult ballot Learn about citizenship and democracy at an early age Lessons are reinforced several times before turning 18

Students Learn Life Skills Learn to gather and analyze information to make well- informed decisions Develop critical-thinking skills Experience a variety of opinions and ideas

Family Interaction is Enhanced Students are motivated to start political discussions at home Builds an increased sense of empowerment and self-esteem Voting and civic participation become a family affair

Kids Voting USA Connects the Classroom, Family & Community Partnerships are critical to program success Everyone can play a role in preparing tomorrow’s citizens

Kids Voting USA Is a National Organization It began with a fishing trip… 46 affiliate programs in 28 states 4.3 million students 10,600 schools 50,000 volunteers 17,000 polling sites

Kids Voting USA in a Nonpartisan Organization Not aligned with a specific political party or position Not financed by political parties

No Child Left Behind Kids Voting USA was authorized in the No Child Left Behind Act of (P.L ) “…Programs to promote voter participation in American elections through programs,…such as Kids Voting USA. “

Kids Voting USA is a Nonprofit Organization Made possible by individuals, corporations and foundations The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation The U.S. Department of Education State Farm Insurance Companies New Profit, Inc. Home Depot Brown & Bain, P.A.

Outcomes Implement an excellent Kids Voting USA program in your own classroom and at your school site. Implement an excellent Kids Voting USA program in your own classroom and at your school site. Plan and teach a workshop to your colleagues which is modeled on this one. Plan and teach a workshop to your colleagues which is modeled on this one. Enlighten and excite students, teachers, and parents about the Kids Voting USA program. Enlighten and excite students, teachers, and parents about the Kids Voting USA program.

Process The local Kids Voting USA affiliate raises the funds, provides the classroom activity materials and inservice training, and recruits volunteers to offer an authentic voting experience. Teachers teach the classroom activities in grades K-12. On election day, students participate in an authentic voting experience.

Goals of Classroom Activities Instilling the importance of voting and discovering the empowerment the votes gives to students, Fostering skills of information-gathering and making critical decisions, across curriculum fields, Eliciting higher order thinking skills and empathy toward others, and Providing training in direct voting process.

Participatory Activities Self-Discovery Research shows - Groups Master and retain knowledge Develop problem solving skills Develop verbal skills and empathy All of which embody goals for informed voters.

Civics Alive! Civics Alive! is the core of the Kids Voting USA classroom activities and materials. It includes an Educator’s Guide. Civics Alive! is available by hard copy, online, or CD.

Civics Alive! Civics Alive! is a comprehensive series of K-12 classroom activities that enable students to develop knowledge through personal experience: Community is connected to the classroom. Culminates in an authentic voting experience.

Civics Alive! The Activities are grouped for grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12). All activities include teacher plans, handouts, and additional resources. The online version includes links to other websites. The Activities have been correlated to national curriculum standards.

Civics Alive! The activities are grouped into five core concepts: My vote gives me power. I have a right and a responsibility to vote. I study the candidates and issues. I register and vote. I continue to make a difference.

Civics Alive! Go to: Select: Teachers Only Click to directly access the classroom activities and materials page User id: Civics Password: Alive

Concept 2 I Have a Right and a Responsibility to Vote. “Apathy Cartoon” Pair up with someone near you. Work together to complete the Political Cartoons Analysis 1 Sheet. Share your analysis with the group.

Concept 3 I study the Candidate’s and Issues “Three Changes” Pair up with someone near you and stand, facing each other. Look at each other very carefully. Turn back-to-back and make 3 changes in your appearance. Raise your hand when finished.

“Three Changes” cont. Face each other and see if you can identify the three changes your partner made. Key questions: What activities can be used for multiple grade levels or content areas (i.e., English, Math).

Concept 4 I Register and Vote “Campaign Bumper Sticker” What are the characteristics of good bumper stickers you have seen? What are some of the “hot issues” in your community? Design and bumper sticker and share with the group.

Kids Voting USA activities can be used throughout the year. Which activities at each level can be used with concepts other than voting concepts? Which activities can be used for a different time period in history?

Destination Democracy High School service-learning classroom activity that integrates community service with civic engagement. Activities through Voting Voter registration Working for political candidates Educating young children about the political process Addressing community issues

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