Curated OER
The Election of 2008: Primaries and Caucuses
Students examine the American presidential election process. For this presidential election lesson, students discover details regarding the campaigns of McCain and Obama in the 2008 election. Students create timelines that feature the...
Curated OER
The Primary Issue
Students 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...
Curated OER
Presidential Election One Year Away
Students identify political parties, then read a news article about the 2008 election. In this current events lesson (written prior to the 2008 election), the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then...
Curated OER
Democracy in Action?
Students compare and contrast democratic election processes. In this 200 presidential election lesson, students visit websites that allow them to compare federal American elections to British elections. Students hold their own classroom...
Curated OER
The Times, Are They A-Changing?
Students read and discuss article, "We Agreed to Agree, and Forgot to Notice," participate in anonymous mock presidential primary ballot, and share reactions to Iowa caucus results. Students then collect statements made by candidates on...
University of Wisconsin
Analyzing Presidential Campaign Propaganda
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...
Curated OER
Carter’s Approach to Facing the Energy Crisis
Learners examine President Carter's stance on the energy crisis of the 1970s. In this energy crisis lesson, students analyze primary sources that feature the crisis during Carter's term. Learners script and produce advertisements to...
PBS
The Big Picture-Economic Security in the Country and your Community
High schoolers explore economic security at the local and national level during the time period preceding the 2008 presidential election. They fill out surveys on their thoughts and concerns regarding the US economy, and watch a video...
Curated OER
Using Current Events to Understand Elections
Eleventh graders explore the the major phases of the electoral process for president. In this US Government lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the delegate system of nomination and the electoral college.
Curated OER
The Right to Vote
In this voting worksheet, students identify and discuss changes in voting rights throughout American history.
Then, they identify why voting is an important right for Americans. Finally, students create voting bookmarks instead of or in...
Curated OER
Navigating the Road to the White House
Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. For this electoral process lesson, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...
Curated OER
Where Do They Stand?
In this presidential election worksheet, young scholars research the 2008 presidential candidates and create a booklet of candidate profiles that clearly differentiate each one. They also assume the identity of one of the candidates and...
Curated OER
Comparing Canadian and U.S. Political Systems and Political Campaigns
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this political systems lesson plan, students conduct research to compare and contrast the forms of government in the United States...
Curated OER
Death and Taxes
Learners explore the "death tax" and analyze statistical information about how the government taxes dead people. They research sources to determine the validity of a anti-tax group campaign and John McCain's claims about taxes. ...
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...