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Grace for President
Last updated Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 1423139992
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2016
Synopsis:
"Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate for the school's mock election!
Author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system, but also teaches them the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought--and offers an inspiring example of how to choose our leaders.
| Note to readers: |
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Explaining the electoral college on the back page to 1st graders may be challenging. You can focus more on the story and identifying the presidents, if you prefer.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Ask the kids what they know about the upcoming presidential election in November.
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Would you like to be president of the United States? Why or why not?
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Show the presidential portraits on the inside cover. How many can you identify? (1. George Washington, 2. Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, 3. John F. Kennedy, 4. Frankly D. Roosevelt, 5 Thomas Jefferson, 6. Abraham Lincoln, 7. Barack Obama)
Vocabulary
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stewed - upset
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campaign - work in an organized and active way toward a particular goal, typically a political or social one
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democracy - a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
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rallies - a mass meeting of people making a political protest or showing support for a cause
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slogan - a short and striking or memorable phrase used in advertising
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Has a woman ever been president of the United States?
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How many states are in the USA? Which other states have you been to?
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Who would you vote for? Grace or Thomas? Why?
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Why did Thomas vote for Grace?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make a United States flag or one for an imaginary country.
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Pretend you or a friend are running for class president. Design a campaign poster. (Volunteers can make templates like the examples in the book ahead of time.)
#Make a Father's Day card.
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Check out our June craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/june-2016/
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| Special activities: |
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How many U.S. presidents can you name?
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How many states can you name? List them on paper.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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