Constitutional Rights Foundation
Suppressing the Vote
Voting rights have expanded over time, but some voters are still being suppressed. A thought-provoking resource explores the history of voter suppression in the US and efforts to remove roadblocks to voting. Young historians learn about...
Curated OER
Budget Debate: How Would You Balance the Federal Budget?
Students examine how to balance the federal budget. In this American economics lesson, students read the provided article "Congress Debates Cutting the Budget." Students then collaborate in small groups to determine how to balance the...
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Evaluating Media Sources
Just how much influence did television have on the results of the 1960 presidential election? Media critics contend that the results were all about how the two candidates appeared on the screen. Give your young historians a chance to...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Dogging the Dems
Political cartoons add an element of fun as your scholars study current events in Washington D.C. This analysis handout uses two cartoons to bring learners into discussion about the many issues democrats have concern over as November...
Curated OER
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Eleventh graders examine transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race.
Curated OER
Tally of the 1824 Electoral College Vote
Twelfth graders study the parts of the Constitution that address presidential election. They complete a variety of activities designed to spark debate about the flaws in the Electoral College system.
Curated OER
POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts
Students research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.
Curated OER
Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
Curated OER
The Presidential Nominating System
Students examine the process by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. They identify the differences between primaries and caucuses and key terms and issues related to the primary...
Fluence Learning
Writing an Argument: Persuasive Speeches to Students
Powerful orators make their messages compelling with a combination of factors. Learn how to be an inspirational speaker with a reading assessment activity that presents a list of persuasive speaking techniques, as well as two...
C-SPAN
Campaign Endorsement Project
So many politicians, so many endorsements! Learn to differentiate between facts as well as the process of endorsements with an informative resource. Class members watch current endorsement videos, research candidates from three different...
Curated OER
Watching the Elections
Students analyze the media products and advertising techniques used in political campaigns. In this elections lesson, students view political debates and then work in groups to find examples of types of advertising techniques used in...
Curated OER
The Debates
Students brainstorm a list of information that voters should know about candidates. In groups, they research their side of an argument in preperation for a debate. After observing media coverage, they compare and contrast the candidates...
Curated OER
Let's Debate - Demonstrating Effective Communication Skills
Students explore and engage in the art of debate. When both sides have been presented each pair have a few minutes to prepare a rebuttal based upon what the opposing side has said. A rubric imbedded in this plan is used as an assessment...
Curated OER
Primary Season 101
While this New York Times resource posted several months ago it could still be a useful learning experience. Learners practice using the Times's Campaign 2012 Politics section to help them answer 16 questions about the Republican...
PBS
From Selma to Montgomery: An Introduction to the 1965 Marches
The 1965 Civil Rights marches from Selma to Montgomery and the resulting Voting Rights Act of 1965 are the focus of a social studies lesson. The resource uses film clips to inform viewers not only about the discrimination that gave rise...
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Youth Curfews
Don't stay out too late! Scholars analyze the need for youth curfews in a democratic society. They examine primary documents, case studies, and short video clips to form their opinions and take a position on the issue. Holding a class...
Curated OER
Covering the Campaign Trail: Technological Progress or Temporary Chaos?
Learners study the changes in reporting and journalism techniques that have evolved due to advances in technology by reading an online transcript. They debate whether the technological advances are positive or negative in the reporting...
Curated OER
Citizenship Programme of Study for KS2
Students discover ways to be active citizens. In this civics lesson, students prepare for student body elections by creating election materials an writing manifestos. Students also consider offering their services to local organizations...
Curated OER
Voting
Students participate in a role play where they run for office and address the issues they want to fix. In this voting lesson plan, students then vote on which candidate they want to run their classroom.
Curated OER
Election Day-Alphabetical Order
In this Election Day worksheet, students alphabetize a set of 16 related words found in a word box at the bottom of the page. Worksheet has links to additional activities.
Curated OER
Election Day Word Jumble
In this Election Day worksheet, students unscramble a set of 20 words found in a word box at the bottom of the page. Worksheet has links to additional activities.
Curated OER
Government and Parliament
Twelfth graders discover how the government works in the United Kingdom and the functions of the Parliament. They hold a mock election and campaign.