C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Campaign Finance
A learning module on how political campaigns are financed that includes four supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include the cost of a...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Race to Watch: Campaign 2008, Role of Technology and the Internet
Is the internet effective as a campaign tool? Help your students explore how presidential candidates use technology and the internet in their political campaigning in the twenty first century with this lesson plan from PBS NewsHour.
Library of Congress
Loc: Oliphant's Anthem Presidential Campaigns
Collection of historically significant political cartoons about past presidential campaigns.
PBS
Pbs: America 1900: William Jennings Bryan's Campaign Strategy
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.
Other
Northeastern University: u.s. Political Conventions and Campaigns
A multimedia resource will aide classroom discussion or groups as they explore the campaigns and conventions of American politics throughout history. Investigate personal finances, platforms and policies, media and debates, and nominations.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Literary Themes in the Campaign
Take a look at popular literary themes that are reflected in the political cartoons of 1896, the year in which William Jennings Bryant challenged William McKinley for the presidency.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Political Commercials Lesson Plan
Students will have the opportunity to analyze political commercials for truths and misconceptions, then make one of their own.
A&E Television
History.com: How Jfk's 'Viva Kennedy' Campaign Galvanized the Latino Vote
When JFK faced a tight race for the White House in 1960, he turned to a group of Americans who had long been overlooked by political campaigns. One way the nation's first Catholic president sought to gain an edge in the close contest was...
PBS
Now With Bill Moyers: Campaign Finance (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that takes students through the process of examining the finances of political campaigns. They will review internal documents to determine if wealthy contributors buy government influence, assess the pros and cons of campaign...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Historical Negativity
An Online News Hour which discusses "negative" political campaigning from a historical perspective.
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Campaign Finance
Learning module teaches students how political candidates fund their campaigns. Through wathcing videos and reading related articles on money in politics, students will form their own opinion and participate in classroom deliberations on...
Other
Brookings Institution: Campaign Finance
The Brookings Institution provides a directory of articles that examine the subject of campaign finance reform and how it relates to Congress, the FEC, and the Courts.
Other
The Garfield Observer: Stalwarts, Half Breeds, and Political Assassination
This is a concise description of the turmoil in the Republican Party leading up to the campaign and election of 1880. How or whether to reform the patronage system was at the heart of the selection of a candidate. Find out about the...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Gilded Age 1870 1900: Political Corruption in Postbellum America
Read about federal politics during the Gilded Age and why not much was accomplished during this time.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Calvin Coolidge: Campaigns and Elections
"Silent Cal", Calvin Coolidge, was the 30th President of the United States. This article briefly examines the campaign and election that saw Coolidge, win in 1924, by 54 percent of the vote.
Other
Make Beliefs Comix: Printables Category: Elections and Political
A collection of printable comics where students complete an activity, such as design a campaign bumper sticker, imagine a conversation between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, or make a list of ideas that would promote the rights of women.
Cyberbee
Cyber Bee: Campaign Advertising
Are you interested in exploring the world of campaign advertising? In this interactive site, you will become the campaign manager to learn the ropes of advertising in an election.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Impact of Political Debates in the Television Age
This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state elections process as part of a unit to prepare for debates to be held in the Fall of 2010. The lesson may also be adapted for use as a stand alone lesson. Student...
PBS
Pbs : Politi fact.com Tracks Obama's Campaign Promise Follow Through
PolitiFact.com, a Pulitzer prize winning political reporting organization offers an evaluation of President Obama's campaign promises after his 100 days in office. Includes a 14 minute audio story with a link to more indpeth analysis of...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Elections
One of the greatest rights of the American People is the right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Take a look at how this process works at this resource. Information is provided on Election Day, Voting, Election of the President,...
Vassar College
Vassar School: 1896: A Website of Political Cartoons: Protective Tariffs
This site is provided for by Vassar College. 1896, A Website of Political Cartoons provides a look at the controversial topic of Tariffs in the election of 1896 and the cartoons it generated at the time.
PBS
Pbs: The :30 Second Candidate
Great PBS site for the Democracy Project. This site is all about televisions role in political advertising. There is a timeline, step-by-step process of commercials, and a look at tricks of the trade.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: u.s. History Lessons: Elections, Parties, Campaigns
This site provides suggestions for lesson plans and unit plans to teach about the U.S. system of elections, political parties, and campaigns.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Responding to Comarison/contrast: Unusual Smear Campaigns [Pdf]
In this PDF lesson plan, 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...