Election years provide the opportunity to evaluate news media as well as the next prospective president. High schoolers read about the same event in several different news sources, varying in type, origin, and political leaning,...

How do two administrations work together to craft a seamless transition of power? Learn more about personnel management, policy implementation, and the role of an outgoing president with a transition plan designed for the 2012...

Campaign propaganda has evolved from 1952 through the presidential election of 2008. A social studies activity prompts class members to analyze the devices used in ads and political cartoons, noting strategies they believe would work to...

Students examine the presidential election process and discover that presidential elections are decided by the electoral college and not popular votes. They see that each state has a number of electors, and understand how this number is...

Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this election process lesson, students discuss the roles of the primary, caucus, polls, Electoral College, delegates, and lobbyists in the process. Students then access the listed...

Students examine the process by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. They identify the differences between primaries and caucuses and key terms and issues related to the primary...

Eighth graders investigate the evolution of the presidential election campaign. For this media awareness lesson, 8th graders examine the use of television commercials during campaigns and their impact as they complete worksheets based on...

Learners explore American elections and terms in office. In this U.S. government lesson, students respond to questions about voting rights. Learners  then write position papers on the existence of the Electoral College.

Learners study how the electoral college works to select a U.S. President.  In this history lesson, students examine the U.S. Elector College methods then answer questions and write an essay that relate to the state where they live.

Students read an account of the election from the Journal of the House of Representatives, analyze archival campaign materials, and use an interactive online activity to develop a better understanding of the election of 1824 and its...

High schoolers establish the major events leading up to the election in 1948.  In this U.S. History lesson, students research details about Harry S. Truman, then they participate in a class discussion about him so that they are...

Students explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections lesson, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during presidential elections....

Learners campaign for president. In this presidential election lesson, students discuss the process of electing presidents, write their own campaign songs, research a campaign train schedule, and create campaign maps.

Students discuss the presidential election in 1932. In this U.S. history lesson, students compare and contrast the differences between the Hoover administration and the administration of FDR. Students work in groups and present the...

Students examine the political alternatives regarding the spread of slavery and the preservation of the American union facing the American people in the decade leading up to the 1860 presidential election.

Students discuss the 2008 Presidential election. They examine the significant issues of the election and focus on the economy. Students study the major issues with the economy. Students decide how they feel about each canidates' views...

Learners analyze the 2008 presidential primaries by reading and discussing the New York Times Upfront article "Primary Matters." They complete a KWL chart, complete a handout, read the article and answer comprehension questions, and...

Students research and discuss the 2000 presidential election. They role-play Al Gore's and George W. Bush's legal teams, and members of the Florida Supreme Court. They of each legal team present their arguments to the Supreme Court.

Students examine the two presidential candidates in 2000, and identify their own stance on campaign issues. They create fictional candidates that represent their beliefs, and write campaign speeches from their point of view.

Students explore the U.S. political system by completing several worksheets. For this government election lesson, students define and describe the two main political parties in detail to one another. Students read a piece written by a...

Students examine Abraham Lincoln's political views about slavery. In this American Civil War instructional activity, students determine how Lincoln's beliefs led to the restriction of slavery in American territories. Student also analyze...

Students construct a graph of the presidents' ages at inauguration. In this U.S. history lesson, students use online resources to gather data about the presidents and accurately present their results on a graph.

Students explore various websites that explain how primaries, caucuses, and general elections function. They view sample ballots, and analyze the executive branch, U.S. presidents, and citizenship.

Students define a straight news article, and identify characteristics of an editorial news feature. They read a CNN article that examines the 2000 presidential election, and determine what is factual and what is opinion.