Curated OER
A Positive Spin
Study word choice and connotation in advertising. Readers examine campaign ads, both negative and positive, from the 2006 mid-term election before discussing an article and analyze a campaign of any candidate they choose. Finally,...
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May The Best Character Win
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!
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Andrew Jackson and the Formation of Political Parties
Eighth graders explore the political election process. They identify how the system changed during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Students use analogies and discussion, and answering questions to explore Jackson and his cabinet. ...
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Candidate Debate; Making Informed Voting Decisions
Young scholars study the concept of what it means to be an informed voter who makes conscientious voting decisions based on significant information. In this making informed voting decisions lesson plan, students are...
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Social Studies: Candidate Issue Positions
Pupils examine the positions of candidates on various issues. Using visual displays, they describe the platforms and positions of candidates on specific issues. Students include opposing views in their displays from other candidates.
Caucus 101
Linkage Institutions: Interest Groups: Option A
How are elections really run and won? Learn about special interest groups, super PACs, and lobbyists with an engaging lesson about the caucus process. Young voters research specific interest groups and analyze their part in previous and...
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Navigating the Road to the White House
Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. In this electoral process lesson, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...
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Ad Nauseam
Students explore the role of special-interest groups in American campaigns. They create their own political advertisements.
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The Campaign Process
In this sequencing the campaign process worksheet, learners arrange the steps of political campaigning in the correct order and write details explaining how to do each step. Students rearrange and write seven short answers.
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TV ATTACK ADS AND THE VOTER
Students read about the history of negative political advertisements in U.S. elections. In this politics lesson, students view several ads for opposing candidates and analyze and discuss the content. Students write scripts for candidates...
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Political Polls
Learners explore politcical polling by conducting a poll of student body elections. They prepare a survey, distribute forms, and tabulate data.
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Who Could Have Been Who
Can word choice affect a candidate's likeability? Use a New York Times lesson to explore how a presidential candidate's likeability factor can fluctuate in public opinion polls. Young readers choose a presidential election from...
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Examining the Form and Function of Campaign Speeches
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,...
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1912: The Election that Changed the Century
The presidential election of 1912 was a turning point in American politics. Whoever won would reshape the political spectrum. Learn about the key issues, each party's politics, and the four men who wanted to become president: William...
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The Campaign of 1840: William Henry Harrison and Tyler, Too
Students list some issues important during the campaign of 1840. They compare and contrast the careers of Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison before they became president and explain why the Whigs wanted to find a candidate in...
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Let the Campaign Begin
Students 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.
Curated OER
The Populists Movement 1880s - 1890s
What is it about the Populists and The Wizard of Oz? Use hard facts about the Populist Movement to find out. The presentation provides good background information on the Populists, their political platform, and life in the 1890s. It then...
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Women in office
Students examine women holding political office. In this critical inquiry lesson, students read an article then design a series of interview questions that they think will identify a good candidate for office. They then interview a...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaign Fundraising
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about American campaign fundraising and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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May the Best Character Win
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...
Anti-Defamation League
Representing the People: Diversity and Elections
After studying statistics and reading articles about diversity in the 2018 through 2020 U.S. elections, young social scientists discuss what they believe is the impact of having more diverse elected officials. Individuals then select one...
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It's My Party
Students compare/contrast the Republican and Democratic platforms using Venn diagrams, then read and discuss, "The Conventions Are Over. The Party's Just Starting." students then participate in a mock press conference and write editorial...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: A Study in Early Caricatures
In this current events worksheet, students analyze caricatures of Barak Obama through the years and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Asking the Questions and Questioning the Answers
What would you ask a presidential candidate if you had the chance? Bring politics to your language arts classroom with this lesson, in which young readers brainstorm questions they would have liked the presidential candidates to answer....