Curated OER
Voting And Elections
Students examine the voting practices of the past several presidential elections while using data to determine the influence of different factors. They identify the reasons for high or low voter turnout and then display the outcome of...
Curated OER
Navigating the Road to the White House
Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. In this electoral process lesson plan, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...
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Public vs. Private
Students watch two commericals from previous presidential elections on the topic of healthcare. After reading an article, they identify the position of the various candidates for the 2008 election. In groups, they brainstorm their own...
Curated OER
Storytellers: Pearl Jam "Never Let Truth Get in the Way of a Good Story"
Students analyze the lyrics from a Pearl Jam song and examine the concept of truth in political advertising. They watch the video, "VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam," participate in a class discussion, conduct research, and prepare a report...
Curated OER
How We Elect a President in the United States
In this United States government worksheet, students learn how a president is elected in the United States. They then answer the 11 definition questions and complete an activity in which they create a platform for a presidential...
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Electing Economies
Students examine the economic and political challenges the past six presidents have faced during their terms of office, and how those challenges may or may not have impacted their chances for re-election. They create campaign slogans...
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...
Curated OER
Death and Taxes
Students 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. ...
Curated OER
President duties
For this Presidential duties worksheet, students match the duties with the name of the jobs the President has. Students have 6 jobs and 16 duties to match to those jobs.
Curated OER
Making Informed Decisions
Pupils discuss various issues of importance in the 1998 congressional and gubernatorial elections, create comparison charts of their states' candidates' positions on these issues, and decide which candidate they would vote for based on...
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Nation Issues 2000
Eighth graders discuss an important issue and then vote on one of four candidates for President based on their views on the issue.
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"The Election"
Students participate in an election for the purpose of comprehending the political process and the responsibilities that come with citizenship in a free society. They elect officials with no identity and are surprised with the revealing...
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Candidate KWL
In this social studies learning exercise, students use this KWL graphic organizer to identify what they know about a candidate, want to know and have learned about a candidate. This could be used for school, local or national elections.
Curated OER
Opinion/Facts: Candidates
In this candidate worksheet, students write the opinions and facts about a candidate running for office and analyze a political cartoon about them. Students complete 5 sections.
Smithsonian Institution
Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide
Vote, it's your civic duty! The resource provides several videos about voting in the United States. Scholars watch a series of topics ranging from youth participation to civic action. The educator's guide provides teachers with...
Cultures of Dignity
Equity and Equality Lesson
Equality does not equal equity and this lesson explains why. Class members compare two images--one labeled "Equality" and the other "Equity." Using the provided discussion questions, they then develop definitions that distinguish between...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Winner-Take-All: The Two-Party System
Two's company, three's a crowd. High school historians learn about the Electoral College, a two-party, winner-take-all voting system in the United States. The lesson explains the pros and cons of the two-party system, roadblocks for...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Putin's Illiberal Democracy
Is Russia really a democracy? High school scholars explore Russian democracy under the leadership of President Putin. The resource provides opportunity for group discussion, writing, and research to understand Russia's political history,...
Teaching Tolerance
The True History of Voting Rights
Explore what voting rights really are in an intriguing lesson that explores the history of American voting. The resource examines the timeline of voting rights in the United States with group discussions, hands-on-activities, and...
Curated OER
Un-Presidented Election
Students explore the results of the 2000 presidential election. They look back at important issues in the campaign and write newspaper articles which cover specific angles on the election.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Fine Tooning a Candidate's Message
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons featuring John Kerry. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
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What's In Store for Four More
Learners examine issues that they consider to be priorities and how President Bush might address them in his next term. They create public service announcement scripts motivating citizens to stay involved in these issues beyond the...
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Electing a President
Students brainstorm and list qualities that they would look for in a president; students rank qualities in order of importance.
Curated OER
The Debates
Students brainstorm a list of information that voters should know about candidates. In groups, they research their side of an argument in preperation for a debate. After observing media coverage, they compare and contrast the candidates...