The Race to the White House Explore the Capitol Building

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speakout

Tugboat Addition

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Even if you’re not yet old enough to vote, Elections for Kids, tinyurl.com/y2rc6 m5u, wants you to know why voting is so important. Take a Quiz in Fun Facts and learn about voter eligibility. What do donkeys, elephants and flags have to do with Political Parties? Did you know that the Electoral College is not an actual college? A state can have anywhere from three to 55 electors, determined by its representation in Congress, which is based on its population. Read about the current president’s background, education and previous occupation.

How many electoral college votes does it take to win the presidential election?

Architect of the Capitol, tinyurl.com/y2b49ynm, is for middle-school students taking American history and civics. Begin with an interactive Capitol Tour and a Follow-Along Worksheet to complete as you watch. Examine the Capitol’s art, its architecture and the history of Congress and our government. Learn about important laws that were debated and passed in this building. The National Statuary Hall features statues provided by every state. After your tour, watch videos like “Haunted Halls: Creepy Capitol Legends” and “The Tiny Doors in the

U.S. Capitol” in Fun Extras.

What was the reason for creating the tiny doors in the U.S. Capitol building?

Dear Amy: I have trouble remembering details of some of the literature I am reading in school. Do you have any tips for how to study for upcoming tests?

Dear Bobby: When you are reading literature, especially for school, it can help to write down important details, characters and events after reading a chapter. These notes will come in handy when you write an essay or study for an exam.

For instance, in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” Mr. Tumnus is described as a faun: half-human and half-goat, with brown hair, blue eyes and light skin. Include that in your description of him, along with details about his character’s personality.

An important tip to remember is to create a mental picture of the story as you read. It’s easier to remember details if you have an image of what the setting and characters look like.

Obviously, not all books have pictures, so descriptions in the book can help you imagine and remember how characters might look. Can’t recall a particular detail? Spark Notes, sparknotes.com, has study guides, chapter summaries and discussion questions.