Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Evaluating Media Sources
Just how much influence did television have on the results of the 1960 presidential election? Media critics contend that the results were all about how the two candidates appeared on the screen. Give your young historians a chance to...
National Woman's History Museum
Introduction to Activism
Activist, feminist, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta are perhaps best known for her work with Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers. Class members explore primary source documents to learn more about this Medal of Freedom winner.
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. For this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A...
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The 2004 Presidential Election
Students examine the 2004 Presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. Using a variety of primary source documents, they discover where the candidates stood on the issues. In groups, they create a tableau in which they...
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Results In On Mock Election
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.
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Presidential Election 2004: Analyzing the Attack Ads
Pupils view and text the text of presidential election advertisements in 2004. Using the ads, they analyze them and check the validity of the statements made. They answer discuss questions for each ad and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Convince Me!
Students use the Internet to learn the art of persuasive speaking in order to present a speech in a convincing manner. Students analyze the characteristics of a good speech, and then practice giving one.
C-SPAN
Should States Shift to Mail-In Voting during the Coronavirus Pandemic?
With the coronavirus pausing many norms in American society, officials are trying to decide how to safely hold voting in the 2020 presidential election. Using curated video clips, including speeches from Congress, journalists, and...
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The League
Students explore the concept of civic virtue in a democratic state. In this democracy lesson, students listen to John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, read selections on democracy, and discuss the importance of civic rights and...
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Weighing the War
Study opposing viewpoints with this lesson, which examines President Bush's September 2004 address at the United Nations. Middle schoolers study the text of the address, and then stage formal debates arguing for or against the reasons to...
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Inaugurating a President
Students study the traditions and history of the U.S. Presidential Inaugurations. They examine the topics George W. Bush talked about in his inaugural address and determine if his remarks clearly outlined what he has done.
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1960 Election
Young scholars examine the election of 1960. In this US politics lesson students listen to a teacher driven lecture, take notes, engage in a class discussion and write a response to what they have learned regarding the 1960's...
Curated OER
Where Do They Stand?
In this presidential election worksheet, students 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 hold a...
Curated OER
Write Obama's Inaugural Address
High schoolers practice their public speaking skills. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students study speeches delivered by Lincoln, Wilson, F. Roosevelt, and Kennedy. High schoolers write the text Obama's inaugural address and deliver...
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The Gettysburg Address (1863): Defining the American Union
Students explore the Gettysburg Address. In this U. S. history lesson, students examine Abraham Lincoln's speech and it's themes of freedom, equality, and emancipation.
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FDR's Fireside Chats: The Power of Words
Students examine Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. In this presidential history lesson, students listen to the radio broadcasts of select FDR Fireside Chats. Students analyze the effectiveness of his messages to the public as well...
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Abraham Lincoln on the American Union: " A Word Fitly Spoken"
Young scholars consider Lincoln's perspective. In this presidential perspectives activity, students explore the political thoughts of Lincoln through a series of lessons that make use of primary source analysis. They hypothesize and take...
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Two's Company; Is Three a Crowd?
Students explore the history of third-party politics in America. They research the impact of one third-party or independent candidate for president and develop a poster and stump speech representing that candidate's motivation for running.
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Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery
High schoolers examine Abraham Lincoln's political views about slavery. In this American Civil War lesson, students determine how Lincoln's beliefs led to the restriction of slavery in American territories. Student also analyze the party...
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The Great Society and A Thousand Points of Lights
High schoolers compare 2 preseidental speeches. In this presidential agenda lesson, students compare and contrast a Lyndon B. Johnson speech with a George H. W. Bush Speech.
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Cowboy Myth
Students explore the concept of historical myth. They read speeches by two presidents who allude to the mythic cowboy and they answer questions about the purpose of each speech. For homework, they read two historian interpretations of...
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Stateside Slavery
Students read "Slavery's Past, Paved Over or Forgotten" from The New York Times and discuss as a class. This activity is the introduction for researching a topic on the history of slavery in the U.S. Student groups present their...
National First Ladies' Library
Presidential Campaigning--Front Porch Style
High schoolers compare and contrast "front porch" political campaigns and modern day traveling campaigns of past presidents. Using the internet and other sources, they explore President Harding's campaign and platform. Using the internet...
Curated OER
Moonwalking to Mars?
Students examine a quote from George W. Bush's recent speech on space exploration. They evaluate one writer's stance on Bush's space exploration goals by reading and discussing "Plea to Policy Makers: Let's Take Another Giant Step." In...