Running head: TWIN TEXT

Twin Text Experience

University of La Verne
Rachel Klodell
Professor Steck
Edu. 385
October 11, 2016

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2
If I Ran for President

Why Are Elections Important? Know

Your Government

Author

Catherine Stier

Jacqueline Laks Gorman

Publisher

Albert Whitman & Company

Weekly Reader Early Learning Library

CA State
Standard(s):
Social
Studies

K.3 Students match simple

descriptions of work that people
do and the names of related jobs at
the school, in the local community,
and from historical accounts.

Title

3.4 Students understand the role of

rules and laws in our daily lives
and the basic
structure of the U.S. government.
2. Discuss the importance of
public virtue and the role of
citizens, including how to
participate in a classroom, in the
community, and in civic life.

K.1 Students understand that being a

good citizen involves acting in certain
ways.
1.1 Students describe the rights and
individual responsibilities of
citizenship.
1. Understand the rule-making
process in a direct democracy
(everyone votes on the rules) and in a
representative democracy (an elected
group of people make the rules), giving
examples of both systems in their
classroom, school, and community.
2. Understand the elements of fair
play and good sportsmanship, respect
for the rights and opinions of others,
and respect for rules by which we live,
including the meaning of the Golden
Rule.

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3.4 Students understand the role of

rules and laws in our daily lives and the
basic
structure of the U.S. government.
2. Discuss the importance of public
virtue and the role of citizens,
including how to participate in a
classroom, in the community, and in
civic life.
Grade Level

Synopsis

Kindergarten

Kindergarten

This first book revolves around

The second book gives valuable

kids learning about the job of the

information on the importance and

president. The book first presents

process of voting. Readers are once

the idea of the Constitution and the again introduced to who can be a
rights individuals hold, and how

president, and how exactly they are

the president ensures all citizens

elected. Aside from the duties of being

rights are being upheld. Readers

president, readers gather insight on

then journey through the duties of

what it means to vote- how it gives

the president through various kid

them a voice- and the importance of

characters. Each child presented in

doing it.

the book takes us along with them

on their duties as president, such
as how they got elected, the

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4
inaugural speech they gave, and
any new ideas they would
implement.

Topic

Job of the president

How voting works and its importance

1. I would use the book Why Are Elections Important? Know Your Government as the first
book to read to students. This is a great book to teach students what exactly it means to
vote, and the importance of the concept. Its also a wonderful way to start teaching kids
how valuable their voice and opinions are and that voting is a great way to get their
voices heard. The book also touches upon the different types of governments and who is
eligible to run for president. I feel like a great activity to do before reading this book
would be some sort of a game where students have to work together as a group without
using their voices. This would show them just how valuable their voices and opinions are
and how when we cant speak or voice our thoughts, it makes things difficult.
2. After reading about who can run for president I would then introduce the second book, If
I Ran for President. This book briefly touches upon the Constitution and how the
document acts as the rules for who can be president but also how the process works such
as the electors in each state. The book ensures kids that being president is not easy work
and how with anything in life, it requires hard work and dedication. I think this book
would be great to end with because it expands on what the first book teaches, but also
shows kids the importance of hard work and dedication. After reading this book I would
want a class discussion on what students would do if they were president. After this
discussion students could then get creative and create a type of storyboard of their ideas
using art skills and complete sentences to go with it explaining what their picture is and
their ideas for being president.
3. ELA Standards:
Writing Strategies: Students write words and brief sentences that are legible.
Organization and Focus
1.1 Use letters and phonetically spelled words to write about experiences, stories, people,

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objects, or events.
1.2 Write consonant-vowel-consonant words (i.e., demonstrate the alphabetic principle).
1.3 Write by moving from left to right and from top to bottom.
Written and Oral English Language Conventions: Students write and speak with a command of
standard English conventions.
1.1 Recognize and use complete, coherent sentences when speaking.
Spelling
1.2 Spell independently by using pre-phonetic knowledge, sounds of the alphabet,
and knowledge of letter names.
Listening and Speaking: Students listen and respond to oral communication. They speak in clear
and coherent sentences.
1.1 Understand and follow one- and two-step oral directions.
1.2 Share information and ideas, speaking audibly in complete, coherent sentences.
4. Additional Comments:
o To enhance this lesson I would want to introduce another book about a historical
figure such as a president. An example could be our first president George
Washington or our most current Obama. Introducing these figures could help
students better understand what it means to be president and as a class we could
look at everything this figure did to gain the position, and how they have changed
the country.
o Another way to take the lesson(s) further is by teaching students songs such as the
National Anthem or the Star Spangle Banner. These songs could just be
something fun for kids to learn and sing together as a class.