Curriculum Resource: Explaining the Electoral College

I recently received the FREE 2012 Electoral College map that C-SPAN is giving to US teachers (for more information, read this post), and it is a durable and valuable resource.  Now I need some materials to help me explain this unusual voting technique to my middle schooler.

Enter C.G.P. Grey, who has created two videos that are perfect for my son, at least.  They are short and to the point, and use math examples to make the system concrete.  Best of all, they insert some humor, which always works to keep my son interested.

The first one explains the Electoral College System:


But I like the second one even better. It demonstrates the problems with this system, and dismisses some of the myths that are offered as explanations about why we have to keep this antiquated technique of electing our modern President:


I learned some stuff, and I'm already pretty well versed on the subject (or so I thought).

I definitely recommend keeping these in your arsenal of tools when you are covering the 2012 Presidential election with your middle schoolers.

FREE 2012 Electoral College Map and Lesson Plans

C-SPAN is sponsoring another giveway to social studies teachers, including homeschoolers.  They are giving away one free Electoral College Map poster to any teacher in the continental US who requests one (at least until supplies run out).  I haven't received mine yet, but the previous ones I've gotten have been BIG and printed on thick, high-quality paper.  So it should last you through the 2012 elections, which is its intended use.

The map reflects the 2010 census figures, and also includes some Election 2012 dates as well as some historic results.  So it should generate a good deal of discussion on its own.

However, C-SPAN has also developed some free lesson plans to accompany the map.  On their website, you can download such resources as Electoral College Map Poster Activities, and lesson plans on The Electoral College and the Constitution and Pros/Cons and Alternatives.  The lessons include video clips of current political figures debating the issue, which helps makes the topic current.

I plan to do a lot of education around the 2012 elections in the coming year, so this is a great resource for us.  I hope it may be helpful to you as well.