Activity Overview
Understanding history also means understanding the terminology around it. In this activity, students will display their understanding of key terms relating to voting rights and the election. Students will create a spider map that defines and illustrates new vocabulary. Students should be encouraged to choose terms they're unfamiliar with from a word bank.
For an extension activity, teachers can display just the visualization to their class or on a separate worksheet and have students guess which term it is. Students would be able to show off their creativity to their peers while being engaged in a challenging review activity to reinforce the main concepts from this unit.
Example Vocabulary for Voting Rights
- Founders
- Framers
- Constitution
- Constitutional Government
- Supremacy Clause
- Amendment
- Ratify (Ratified, Ratification)
- 13th Amendment
- 14th Amendment
- 15th Amendment
- Poll Tax
- Literacy Test
- Grandfather Clause
- Voter Suppression
- 19th Amendment
- Civil Rights Movement
- Voting Rights Act
- 24th Amendment
- 26th Amendment
- Polling Booth
- Ballot
- Absentee Ballot
- Mail-in Ballot
- Voter Fraud
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines key terms for voting and the election process.
Student Instructions:
- In the title box, type in the term.
- In the description box, type the definition as it relates to voting.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
Understanding history also means understanding the terminology around it. In this activity, students will display their understanding of key terms relating to voting rights and the election. Students will create a spider map that defines and illustrates new vocabulary. Students should be encouraged to choose terms they're unfamiliar with from a word bank.
For an extension activity, teachers can display just the visualization to their class or on a separate worksheet and have students guess which term it is. Students would be able to show off their creativity to their peers while being engaged in a challenging review activity to reinforce the main concepts from this unit.
Example Vocabulary for Voting Rights
- Founders
- Framers
- Constitution
- Constitutional Government
- Supremacy Clause
- Amendment
- Ratify (Ratified, Ratification)
- 13th Amendment
- 14th Amendment
- 15th Amendment
- Poll Tax
- Literacy Test
- Grandfather Clause
- Voter Suppression
- 19th Amendment
- Civil Rights Movement
- Voting Rights Act
- 24th Amendment
- 26th Amendment
- Polling Booth
- Ballot
- Absentee Ballot
- Mail-in Ballot
- Voter Fraud
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines key terms for voting and the election process.
Student Instructions:
- In the title box, type in the term.
- In the description box, type the definition as it relates to voting.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Voting Rights and Election Vocabulary
Teach Election Vocabulary Through Interactive Games
Engage students with hands-on activities by turning vocabulary review into fun, interactive games. Games help reinforce key terms and encourage participation from all learners.
Choose a game format that fits your class size
Pick from Jeopardy, Bingo, or Vocabulary Charades to match your students' energy and group dynamics. Flexible formats keep everyone involved and allow easy adaptation to your classroom.
Prepare game materials using your vocabulary list
Create cards, boards, or slides using the election terms from your lesson. Customize materials to highlight terms students find most challenging. Visual aids boost memory and engagement.
Explain the rules and model a practice round
Go over the instructions step-by-step and demonstrate how to play with a short example. Clear modeling reduces confusion and sets up students for success.
Facilitate play, encouraging teamwork and discussion
Guide the activity, prompting students to explain their answers and help each other. Teamwork deepens understanding and gives every student a chance to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Voting Rights and Election Vocabulary
What are some essential voting rights and election vocabulary terms for students to know?
Some key voting rights and election vocabulary terms include Constitution, Amendment, 13th Amendment, 19th Amendment, Voter Suppression, Polling Booth, Ballot, and Voting Rights Act. Understanding these terms helps students grasp the history and process of voting in the U.S.
How can I teach voting rights vocabulary in an engaging way to middle or high school students?
Use a spider map activity where students define and illustrate key voting terms. Encourage creativity by letting students choose unfamiliar words from a word bank and create visual representations, making learning interactive and memorable.
What is a spider map and how does it help students learn election vocabulary?
A spider map is a visual organizer where a central term is connected to its definition and an illustration. It helps students break down complex vocabulary, making terms easier to understand and remember through visuals and concise explanations.
What are some extension activities for reinforcing voting rights vocabulary?
You can display only the students' visualizations (without the term) and have the class guess which vocabulary word it represents. This encourages peer learning, review, and deeper engagement with the material.
Why is it important for students to learn election and voting rights terminology?
Learning election and voting rights terminology empowers students to understand historical context, civic processes, and current events, fostering informed citizenship and critical thinking about democracy.
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