If every vote counts, why do we need the electoral college? Middle and high schoolers study the Constitutional precedent of the electoral college, as well as its place in historical and modern elections, with an engaging social studies lesson. After watching clips and reading articles focused on different points of view, they formulate their own opinion in a class debate and a letter to the editor.

Concepts

the electoral college, the electoral process, the electoral vote, voting, elections, presidential elections, the popular vote

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Use the lesson during an election year or when focusing on the American voting process
• Include the extension activity as a final assessment project or extra credit assignment

Classroom Considerations

• Lesson is not based on any election in particular, but attached map includes all elections up to 2012
• Pace the lesson according to the needs of your class, as the plan does not have strict instructions for implementation

Pros

• Includes a stellar map of the amount of electoral votes allotted to each state
• Links to all relevant videos
• Assesses understanding in a structured debate and writing piece
• Introduces counterarguments to each claim

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.7.1 RI.8.1 RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1 SL.7.1.a SL.7.2 SL.7.3 SL.8.1.a SL.8.2 SL.8.3 SL.9-10.1.a SL.9-10.2 SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.1.a SL.11-12.2 SL.11-12.3