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.
Other
Pbs News Hour: Watch the Debates
Scroll back as far as 1960 to watch and interact with highlights from debates between presidential and vice presidential candidates over the years. Examine ways the candidates debate topics of the economy, gun control, and civil rights....
DOGO Media
Dogo News: Us Presidential Candidates Face Off in First of Three Debates
A record attendance was recorded for the first debate of the major party candidates in the 2016 run for president. Read about the questions moderator Lester Holt probed Trump and Clinton with.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Debating Our Destiny: Geraldine Ferraro
An interview with Ms. Ferraro, first female vice-presidential candidate, regarding the 1984 debate against republican candidate George Bush.
iCivics
I Civics: Political Debate Guide
Use this activity to help your students view any political debate from local to national, historical to live broadcast. Preview candidates, issues, expectations, and details about the location and moderators. Track what the candidates...
CNN
Cnn: Other Candidates, Other Voices
1996 Debate with a twist. Third party candidates that were excluded from debates have a chance to answer a select group of questions.
CNN
Cnn: All Politics Debates Bring Out the Best and the Worst I
A 1996 CNN news item reviews some of the famous mistakes made in presidential debates and considers the measures candidates take to make good impressions and avoid spectacular gaffes.
CNN
Cnn: Presidential Debate Scorecard 2
An interesting breakdown in several areas of the second debate between Clinton and Dole in October 1996. The categories demonstrate how the candidates are graded during debates.
CNN
Cnn: Presidential Debate Scorecard 1
An interesting breakdown in several areas that demonstrate how the candidates are graded during the October 1996 debates.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Nixon Kennedy Debate
Although Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy weren't the first presidential candidates to use the media to reach the public, their debates showed most clearly how television could influence the voting public.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Analyzing Gubernatorial Debates: The 2010 Election
This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state electoral process. Students collaborate on a wiki designed to aid in analyzing candidates' responses in a gubernatorial debate. Pre-debate and post-debate activties...
CNN
Cnn: Truth Was an Occasional Casualty in Sunday's Debate
CNN journalist takes a close look at the debate claims of each candidate during the Clinton vs. Dole debates.
Digital History
Digital History: The Lincoln Douglas Debates
Historic debates, both in substance and form, were held between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the Illinois Senate race in 1858. Read about the debates, where tht two men stood on the issue of slavery, and its place in the...
CNN
Cnn: Perot Sues to Stop Presidential Debates
1996 article related to lawsuit filed by candidate Ross Perot, stating that debate rules were violated when he was barred from two debates.
Other
Student News Daily: 2016 Presidential Election
A comprehensive resource covering the presidential election of 2016. Enrich study with activities, videos, worksheets, etc. Topics range from platforms, candidates, conventions and debates.
CNN
Cnn: Presidential Debates Sights & Sounds
Comprehensive site complete with audio and video of the final debate as well as a complete transcript, photographs, and candidates' views on a variety of issues.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: The Presidential Debates (Lesson Plan)
A lesson activity that has students investigating media coverage of presidential debates and discussing how viewers are influenced by things other than the issues being debated. Students will also explore techniques that can help viewers...
iCivics
I Civics: Games: Cast Your Vote
This resource is an interactive educational game that places the players in control of all three branches of government to test their abilities to turn issues of concern into full-fledged laws. In the debate, choose the questions to help...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Open Season
This Online NewsHour forum features a law professor and a political scientist debating the value of open primaries in the states.
Other
Nicky Case: To Build a Better Ballot
Distrust in democracy has been growing in America over the past few generations. There are many ways to help regain trust and Nicky Case analyzes one of those ways - choosing an alternative voting system. By viewing computer simulations...
CNN
Cnn: Sights and Sounds Gallery the Main Event
Audio and video coverage of the reigning champion Bill Clinton and challenger Bob Dole during presidential debates. Comprehensive site with candidates' views on many issues as well as a full debate transcript.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Election of 1960
Read about the campaign and election of 1960 in which the Democratic candidate, Senator John F. Kennedy, ran against the Repbulican candidate, Vice-President Richard M. Nixon. Find out about the issues, the famous debates, and Kennedy's...
University of Chicago
Special Collections Library: Stephen A. Douglas and the American Union
Provides information about the Great Debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
CNN
Cnn: No Fireworks, No Flames
CNN coorespondent Morris Burrett critiques the debate outcome between Clinton and Bush and also analyzes comments from both candidates.