The New York Times
Evaluating Sources in a ‘Post-Truth’ World: Ideas for Teaching and Learning about Fake News
The framers of the United States Constitution felt a free press was so essential to a democracy that they granted the press the protection it needed to hold the powerful to account in the First Amendment. Today, digital natives need to...
Curated OER
The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity
Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign.
Freecloud Design
Presidents vs. Aliens™
People of all ages can enjoy identifying and learning about the US Presidents by playing this entertaining game. Quiz questions cover identifying the president, political party, predecessors and successors, nicknames, quotes, general...
Curated OER
U.S. Presidential Facts Activity
In this U.S. Presidents worksheet, learners click on the links in the questions about U.S. Presidents to find the answers to the questions and then come back and answer the questions. Students answer 15 questions total.
C-SPAN
Polling and Public Opinion
Most people are eager to offer their opinions about topics of interest, but what's the most effective way to collect and assess these opinions as a matter of fact? High schoolers learn about the history of polling, as well as the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
“From Time to Time”: Presidents and Communicating with the Public
While the Constitution requires a "State of the Union" address, it doesn't give many details. In fact, it wasn't until Woodrow Wilson that the periodic update to Congress was given in-person. Using primary sources, recordings and...
Curated OER
Animal Issues: Let's Talk Turkey
Thanksgiving means an untimely demise for thousands of turkeys every year. This turkey Q and A provides nine questions bringing facts and statistics of turkey consumption to the discussion table. There is an answer key that provides full...
Curated OER
Analysis of a Historic Presidential Election
High schoolers research the 2000 presidential elections. They explain why the presidential winner was initially too close to call, discuss how the winner was determined and predict how the 2000 election might change the process of...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Charisma vs. Experience
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2008 Presidential election and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Newspaper Fact Treasure Hunt
Students explore the newspaper. In this research lesson, students search for answers within the newspaper. Students collaborate with classmates to find the answers.
Smithsonian Institution
The American Presidency: Grades 4-6
An interesting unit explains the American presidency from the campaign trail all the way to the role of the president. Historians participate in discussions, create posters, conduct Internet research, and more to gain an understanding of...
Mikva Challenge
Deconstructing Campaign Messages and Perceptions
Target audience, covert message, explicit and implicit appeals. As part of an investigation of rhetorical devices used in campaign ads, class members examine and deconstruct the appeals in logos from the 2008 election. They then use the...
Teaching American History
A Word Fitly Spoken: Lincoln's Most Famous Speeches on Union
Abraham Lincoln's words carried American democracy through one of its most tenuous and violent moments in the nation's short history. Explore an interactive timeline that places events of the 19th century in the context of Lincoln's...
Curated OER
President William Jefferson Clinton
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a passage about President Clinton and answer 7 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Power of the People
Students determine the meaning of democracy and investigate accomplishments of a number of United States presidents. They look at images of the presidential one dollar coins before they determine how the job of the president differs from...
Curated OER
President Notebook
High schoolers make presidential notebooks which they add to throughout the year. They arrange information about each president into an informational chapter.
Curated OER
The Great Depression and New Deal
Elementary pupils are introduced to the Great Depression as a critical period of hardship in United States history. They engage in collaborative assignments researching the Dust Bowl, the New Deal, US presidents, and presidential libraries.
Curated OER
Andrew Jackson: 1767-1845
A thorough examination of Andrew Jackson's presidency and politics, these slides contain important facts and pictures of the growing United States. Events such as the Trail of Tears and the Tariff Battles of the early 19th century are on...
Curated OER
The Geography of the United States
Full of bright maps and interesting information, this presentation details U.S. Geography. Slides include basic facts about size, regions, topography, and demographics, as well as fascinating trivia about the United States, including...
Curated OER
Making Points on Election Dilemma
Students define a straight news article, and identify characteristics of an editorial news feature. They read a CNN article that examines the 2000 presidential election, and determine what is factual and what is opinion.
Curated OER
Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate
Students review statements made during a 2007 Republican presidential for factual references. They research the statements for accuracy using internet resources. Students also examine the stated purpose of the websites used to fact check...
Curated OER
Washington and the Modern Presidency
Eighth graders examine the precedents set by George Washington. In this presidential history instructional activity, 8th graders discuss the challenges Washington faced as president and how he shaped the presidency to suit his leadership...
Curated OER
Democracy in Action?
Students compare and contrast democratic election processes. In this 200 presidential election lesson plan, students visit websites that allow them to compare federal American elections to British elections. Students hold their own...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 7
Students examine the impact of Franklin Roosevelt's executive order on Japanese-Americans. They discuss Presidential executive orders, read a handout, answer discussion questions, and write a letter to President Roosevelt.