Anti-Defamation League
Sexism and the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how sexism impacted the 2020 United States presidential election. They examine media coverage of the six women candidates, engage in a four-corners debate reacting to statements about gender and the...
Curated OER
Political Parties and What They Do
The emerging politicians in your government might be familiar with the words "Democrat" and "Republican," but what do they really know about the role of political parties in America? Use this activity to reinforce information from your...
Curated OER
Election Scavenger Hunt
Students examine newspapers and other resources for articles about the election. They collect articles and photos from both presidential candidates. They also search for political cartoons and discuss what they find.
Curated OER
President Kennedy and Kentucky Politics
Learners explore the interactions between Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and President Kennedy. They examine JFK's interest in Kentucky politics and construct history through Governor Bert Comb's interview.
Carolina K-12
Exploring the Electoral College
Does your vote really count? This activity helps young voters learn about the electoral college through a TED talk, a helpful handout, discussion prompts, and then a role-playing activity that has participants simulating an election on a...
Curated OER
Populism & the Election of 1896
Populism and the rise and fall of the Populist Party are the topics of this presentation, which details the Presidential Election of 1896 and the role of silver. Detailing main points with clever political cartoons and informative maps,...
School Improvement in Maryland
Evaluating Political Advertisements
How do interest groups try to influence elections? As part of their study of the election process, groups view 30-second advertisements produced by advocacy groups and use the provided worksheet to evaluate these ads. They then craft...
iCivics
Cast Your Vote
Impress upon your learners the importance of researching candidates in an election and considering not only which issues are most important to them as voters, but also which issues are most important to the candidates.
Curated OER
The Presidential Campaign Game
Upper graders play a game as a way to facilitate understanding of US Presidential Campaign issues and strategies. After being divided into small groups, a candidate will be chosen to run for office. Each group creates propaganda to get...
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
Writing a Political Leader
Eighth graders write to a political leader. In this citizenship lesson, 8th graders discuss leaders of our government and how to voice opinions. Students draft a letter in preparation for revisions. The lesson is part of a unit.
Curated OER
Writing a Political Leader
Young scholars write a letter to a political leader. In this letter writing lesson, students also demonstrate their understanding of current political issues.
Curated OER
Introductions to Elections and Government
Eighth graders explore the process of election. In this elections and government instructional activity, 8th graders complete a K-W-L chart and research the Internet to complete a fact sheet and report on to their peers. This...
Museum of the Moving Image
Political Ads in Historical Context
Campaign ads target both timely issues and general themes. Presidential campaign ads from 1952 and 1988 provide class members an opportunity to compare how the topics ads choose to address can dramatically influence election outcomes.
Curated OER
Political Parties, Platforms, and Planks
Ninth graders examine the origins and functions of political parties. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders create a party platform to address political issues that are likely to arise during a national election. Students...
Curated OER
Writing a Political Leader
Students peer edit a letter. In this editing lesson, students peer edit a letter written to a political figure by another student. Students discuss edits and revisions needed for improvement. This is a continuation lesson that is part...
C-SPAN
Debates
How do the presidential debates of 2016 compare to the debates from the 1980's? What about the 1960's? Evaluate a chosen candidate or issue from the 20th and 21st centuries with a lesson plan focused on political debates. Middle and high...
C-SPAN
Presidential Candidate Research
Don't let the young citizens in your social studies class get all their election information from inflammatory commercials and arguing pundits. Use a lesson plan from C-SPAN to guide class members through an election season with a...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Free vs. Phony Elections
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about free elections and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Reviewing the Election Process by NOW Classroom for PBS
Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this election process activity, students discuss the roles of the primary, caucus, polls, Electoral College, delegates, and lobbyists in the process. Students then access the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: 2004 Presidential Election
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2004 election and respond to 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Donkeys, Elephants, and Elections
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about the 2006 American mid-term elections. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons in the Classroom: Pitfalls of Democratic Elections
For this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about democratic elections that go bad. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Voting And Elections
Students examine the voting practices of the past several presidential elections while using data to determine the influence of different factors. They identify the reasons for high or low voter turnout and then display the outcome of...