Voting for the next president of the United States is about finding the candidate who most closely aligns with your own values and sense of democracy. High schoolers become acquainted with the candidates from the 2016 election with a lesson that encourages them to prioritize their most important leadership qualities before embarking on additional research for each prospective president.

Concepts

presidential campaigns, presidential candidates, presidential elections, elections, american values, democratic values

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Use in anticipation of a presidential election, or when studying a historical election
• Have learners pick a president from a movie or television show, and analyze why the character does or does not embody the same values as real presidential candidates
• Use the two extension activities as opportunities for extra credit or final assessment

Classroom Considerations

• Though the lesson is designed for the 2016 presidential election, it is easily applicable to other elections by substituting the candidates and their official websites
• Be sure that your class is capable of mature and unbiased discussion about the candidates

Pros

• Engages young citizens into a democratic discussion beyond the partisan commercials and debates they have been hearing
• Extra challenges are creative and fun for learners of all reading levels
• Provides sources for monitoring the media in an optional step of the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.6 RI.9-10.8 RI.11-12.6