Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining the Form and Function of Campaign Speeches

For Teachers 11th - 12th
An examination of stump speeches, one of the most important components of a presidential campaign, is made possible by accessing The New York Times Learning Network. After closely examining the form and function of stump speeches,...
Lesson Plan
Prestwick House

Rhetorical Devices in Political Speeches

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Have you ever watched a political speech and felt your heart beat a little faster, and your opinion either solidify or begin to slightly change? Rhetorical devices can be a strong tool in an effective and powerful speech. A short lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the Campaign Begin

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine the many steps involved in the electoral process. They examine past president's campaigns and write an announcement speech for the candidate of their choice.
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Propaganda, Spin and Soundbite Politics

For Students 8th - 12th
It's all about the spin! In an introduction to propaganda techniques and soundbite politics, scholars first learn about common propaganda techniques before seeing them in action in the context of the 2016 election cycle. Activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speech! Speech!

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Critical thinkers consider how word choice in speeches impacts the meaning and effectiveness of the message being presented. They examine and respond to some of the speeches made at the 2004 Republican and Democratic National...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Presidential Campaign Game

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers play a game. In this election lesson, students play the Presidential Campaign Game. High schoolers learn about the politics and process of electing a president.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

May The Best Character Win

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the financial committment to running a campaign. They discuss the difference between electroal and popular votes. They realize how involved a political campaign is!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Race

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore political topics and issues that often involve discussions of race or ethnicity. They develop campaign speeches voicing their stances on their assigned topics and explore how their racial and/ or ethnic backgrounds shape...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the Campaign Begin

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students differentiate between positive and negative personal attributes and select a fictional character for nomination who personifies the qualities of a good leader. They use the Internet to learn about the election process and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasion and Political Debate by PBS

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine rhetorical strategies. In this political debate lesson, students research issues of presidential campaigns and deliver persuasive speeches about the issues they research. Students then participate in debates based on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign! The Election Simulation Game

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners simulate the election process with one group acting as politicians and others acting as the constituency with concerns specific to their assigned area of the country. They give speeches, take polls, and elect a leader based on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign Finance Reform and Public Opinion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the issue of finance reform in political campaigns. Using the internet, they identify the positives and negatives of finance reform and research the problems associated with campaign fund-raising. They share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom by the Fireside: The Legacy of FDR's "Four Freedoms" Speech

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address. They listen to recordings of speeches by F.D.R., answer discussion questions, and participate in a debate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Democracy?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify what makes a country democratic and compare United States and Indian political party symbols. They create their own political party and party symbol. They create a campaign speech, participate in the voting process...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

May the Best Character Win

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Running an election campaign takes money. Class groups must effectively budget money in order to design and purchase sufficient advertising aimed at procuring classmates' votes. After completing an online tutorial, they also write and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Movements: Political parties

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars list current federal parliamentary parties, consider the role of political parties, practice party based representation, state the relationship between parties, elections and Australian policy, and define specific...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign Posters 1788-1816

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the first years of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution. They identify the main themes of the Federalist and Republican parties, conduct research, and write a campaign speech and create a campaign poster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Movement: Political Parties

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore politics by researching Australian government law. In this political parties lesson, students define the different active parties in Australia and their roles within the country. Students complete a word bank activity...
Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Stump speeches are the focus of this exercise that combines politics and language arts. After learning about this type of speech, the class listens to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign stump speech and answers a series of questions that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free To Speak And Free To Post?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research online and in books city statutes regarding posting signs on utility poles, interview appropriate officials about ordinances and how completely it is enforced, explore what has happened elsewhere when citizens decided...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free to Speak and Free to Post?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research on the Web and in books with city statutes or call city officials to find out the local ordinance on posting signs on utility poles. If illegal, students explore what has happened elsewhere when citizens decided to...
Lesson Plan
Great Schools

My First Presidential Election

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Register, establish a platform, make campaign speeches, and design campaign advertisements with a study of presidential elections. Young citizens engage in various activities that mimic the election process.
Lesson Plan
C-SPAN

The Impact of Citizens United v. FEC

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What began as an effort to show a movie by an interest group has impacted financing of federal elections. Did the Citizens United case lead to more "dark money" in politics, or did it shine a light with more speech? Using video clips...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Donkeys and Elephants and Voters, Oh My!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students celebrate party politics. In this American politics lesson plan, students discover what the 2 main political parties in the country are and discuss their functions. Students then participate in a classroom simulation that...