Teach kids the different requirements to run for president of the United States. Create a sheet that teaches kids that one must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen and a resident of the U.S. for 14 years. Design a worksheet activity that requires students to mark true or false next to potential eligibility requirements. You can also create scenarios like "John moved to the United States when he was 21. He is now 35 and would like to run for presidential office" and have students determine whether or not that person is eligible to run or not.
Because many people would like to run for office, it is necessary for major parties to choose who will represent their party on the national platform. Generally, the Democratic and Republican caucus will support candidates they believe best represent their party interests. This is followed by a primary election, in which voters of each party determine who they want to run against the opposing party later. Have your students make a list of qualities a person seeking to run for president should possess. If they are advanced in their political understanding, they can even list qualities a Democratic and Republican candidate should possess in order to secure more votes than the other party in the national election.
The National Convention is when each political party hosts a convention to formally nominate a candidate to run for president of the United States. It is also when presidential candidates announce their running mate for vice president. Students should be able to list the requirements to serve as vice president. Additionally, students should learn to identify the vice president's constitutional duties such as assuming the role of president should the president no longer be able to serve or presiding over the Senate. Use the worksheet as an opportunity for students to identify vice presidential duties by using true or false statements.
Students can can learn to identify voting requirements in the presidential election. Create true or false statements like "You may vote if you are an immigrant, but have legal status in the United States" to help students learn to intricacies of the voting process. You may also make a list of places citizens may or may not vote and have your kids circle eligible voting locations. Lastly create scenarios that demonstrate the age requirements to vote by requiring students to fill in the blank. For example, you may write "John is 17 and can register to vote if he [Blank]." Ensure that your students understand the voting rights and laws governing the election process by the end of the activity.