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Lesson Plan

Electoral College Philosophical Chairs Debate

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Electoral College Philosophical Chairs Debate lesson plan also includes:

Because of the Electoral College, it is possible to win the popular vote in a US Presidential election and still lose the election. After researching the pros and cons of the Electoral College, class members engage in a structured debate about whether or not the Electoral College should be abolished.

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Concepts
discussion skills, group discussions, socratic discussion, preparing for discussions, presidential campaigns, presidential elections, presidential candidates, the electoral college, the electoral process, the electoral vote, debate, critical thinking, the united states, the united states government
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Additional Tags
social studies
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Instructional Ideas
  • If students are unfamiliar with the philosophical chairs debate structure, used the linked lesson plan to model how the process works
  • Before the debate, have class members research why the Electoral College was created
Classroom Considerations
  • ProCon is an non-partisan information site
  • The pros and cons article about the Electoral College may be printed to eliminate the need for student internet connections
  • Presumes a protocol is in place to assure a reasoned, respectful debate of the issue
Pros
  • Includes a link to information on how to conduct a philosophical chairs debate
  • Speakers are required to back up their opinions with evidence from theProCon site
Cons
  • None