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Primary
PBS

Pbs: America 1900: William Jennings Bryan's Campaign Strategy

For Students 9th - 10th
Historian Walter LaFeber discusses William Jennings Bryan's 1900 campaign strategy to win the White House by criticizing the imperialism of the Republican candidate, William McKinley.
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Article
University of Maryland

Department of Sociology: Polls Take Commanding Lead in Politics, Business

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Article presents a useful discussion on the basics of public opinion polling, problems with the polling process, sources of public opinion data and tips for consumers.
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Website
Other

Gallup Home: Gallup

For Students 9th - 10th
Official homepage of the Gallup Organization. Fascinating look at all sorts of polls.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Election Central 2016: The Election Process

For Students 9th - 10th
This link from Election Central 2016 focuses on the Election Process using video clips, lesson plans, teaching materials, and activities having to do with the election process including Campaign Strategy, Getting the Nomination, Election...
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Activity
Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University: Votes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Pennsylvania State University is a well-developed simulation of a political campaign, containing political information and definitions.
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Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 1199: Gallup Poll

For Students 9th - 10th
An informal, almost light-hearted, discussion of two of the great historical failures of public polling experts. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
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Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Election Central 2016: Elections Throughout History

For Students 9th - 10th
This link from the Election Central 2016 website focuses on elections throughout history with the use of primary source documents such as campaign posters, newspaper headlines, and video clips from various Presidential elections...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Personality or Politics Activity | 60 Second Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students learn the important role that both personality and political platform have in shaping presidential elections by watching videos in groups comparing presidents who won on personality and those who won on...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Meet the 2016 Presidential Candidates: Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will get to know the candidates running for president and where they stand on important issues. They will create a flow chart documenting the steps a candidate must take to be elected. Then they will conduct...
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Article
CNN

Cnn: All Politics Debates Bring Out the Best and the Worst I

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Win the White House

For Students 9th - 10th
Running for the presidency isn't easy! In Win the White House, you get to manage your very own presidential campaign by strategically raising funds, polling voters, launching media campaigns, and making personal appearances. Keep a close...
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Primary
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Going Negative

For Students 9th - 10th
A February 2000 Online NewsHour discussion of "negative" campaigning. A good way to learn about how negative campaigning has been used in elections.
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Primary
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Past Debates

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief Online NewsHour report highlights some of the classic, and not so classic moments in the history of televised presidential debates. A very interesting glimpse at past debates.
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Primary
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Historical Negativity

For Students 9th - 10th
An Online News Hour which discusses "negative" political campaigning from a historical perspective.
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Website
Other

John Kasich

For Students 9th - 10th
The official website for the John Kasich for president campaign 2016 offers news and issues about what this candidate stands for.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Election Central: Campaign Manager: 60 Second Presidents

For Students 9th - 10th
In this activity, students watch videos to determine the best characteristics of a president in order to develop a campaign around these traits. Students watch videos of specific presidents and then create campaign posters which reflect...
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Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: Responding to Comarison/contrast: Unusual Smear Campaigns [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this PDF lesson, students unpack two opposite concepts by creating an imaginary "Smear Campaign," pretending the two concepts are opposing each other in election. Students may create print, radio, or television ads to show how their...
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Website
Other

Project Vote Smart: Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Project Vote Smart provides an excellent page of links related to issues which are of interest in American politics.
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Primary
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Does Anybody Care?

For Students 9th - 10th
An October 1996 Online NewsHour program considers the possible impact of "negative" campaign ads. A good debate on this issue.