{"id":2202,"date":"2010-01-21T15:12:16","date_gmt":"2010-01-21T20:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2202"},"modified":"2010-01-21T15:12:16","modified_gmt":"2010-01-21T20:12:16","slug":"teaching-civics-with-childrens-literature-duck-for-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/2010\/01\/21\/teaching-civics-with-childrens-literature-duck-for-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Duck for President"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fed up with Farmer Brown’s demands to pitch in and help with the farmyard chores, ambitious Duck decides things have to change, and so he proactively decides to stage an election to take charge.\u00a0 In Duck for President <\/a>by author Doreen Cronin<\/a>, Duck begins his ascent to great political heights one step at a time.\u00a0 Once he’s taken over the farm, he finds that it is hard work, so he then tries the governorship and wins.\u00a0 He again becomes restless and decides to run for President, and wins the presidential election.\u00a0 However, he finds that with great power comes greater and greater responsibilities – and headaches.\u00a0 “Running a country is no fun at all,” he remarks.\u00a0 The story concludes with Duck returning to the simpler life he once enjoyed on the farm, writing his autobiography.<\/p>\n

As the ultimate “outsider” candidate in each of the elections, Duck\u00a0demonstrates the principal that\u00a0America is comprised of\u00a0a great diversity of\u00a0people\u00a0(and animals), all of whom can make a contribution to their community.\u00a0 The story will doubtless resonate with young children who are all too familiar with hearing their parents ask them to help with household chores and wish\u00a0to change things.\u00a0 Duck’s message is to stop complaining,\u00a0make a stand, and help make a difference.\u00a0\u00a0However, Duck finds that it’s much\u00a0harder work when you are\u00a0given larger responsibilities.\u00a0 Throughout his\u00a0rise to power, the book’s humorous treatment of the political process –\u00a0voting, campaigning, tallying the ballots – gives young children\u00a0an accessible\u00a0look inside the electoral process and an understanding of the level of commitment needed to hold government office.\u00a0 Math skills are utilized throughout the text via tallies following each election.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong>
\nThis book’s light treatment of the electoral process would make it a great introduction to civics for kindergartners, and would allow for an expansion of basic civics ideas for first and second graders.\u00a0 Kindergartners can get some simple insight into the political process (including some idea of how hard the president’s job is) (K.9), while first and second graders could build upon their existing knowledge of elections to understand more about\u00a0the\u00a0responsibilities of\u00a0being in office, how candidates campaign, and the voting process (1.10,\u00a02.10).\u00a0 First and second graders will also learn how people (or ducks, in this case) can make a difference in their communities (1.12c, 2.12).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n