Campaigning: It's a Process

No one gets elected in a day. Well... they do! But there's a lot that has to happen before the voters cast their ballot. Campaigning is a whole process! 

  VIEW LESSON PLAN >>

Mini-Lesson: Vice President

Find out about the importance of the vice presidential candidate in a presidential election, and how this person is much more than a running mate.

Candidate Evaluation

In this lesson, students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess ...

Candidate Report Card

Help your class apply their candidate evaluation skills with this election season activity. Students will select the issues and qualities they care about, then research candidates running...

Election Glossary

There's lots of vocabulary associated with elections, so give students this handy glossary to use as a reference. Whether it's election season or you're just covering election...

Election Results Tracker

Our Election Results Tracker activity helps students monitor the election results with a map and Electoral College vote counter.

VIEW LESSON PLAN >>

For The President, All In A Day's Work

Students learn the primary responsibilities of the president and how those duties connect to the powers the Constitution grants to the Executive Branch. Students also learn about the type...

Media and Influence

This unit is designed to teach students about sources of influence on our society and our government. Students learn how the media and interest groups influence discussions that take plac...

Mini-lesson: Gerrymandering (HS)

Students try their hand at a simplified districting exercise and learn about the common gerrymandering practices of packing and cracking districts. Students then explore the media&rs...

Mini-lesson: The Incumbent Advantage (HS)

Learn about the electoral advantage that favors incumbents and the benefits and drawbacks of reelecting members of Congress. Then, put students' news literacy skills to work as they l...

News Literacy

The universe of information we live in is a complicated web of messages with a mind-blowing array of sources, biases, and agendas. Help your students develop the mad news literacy skills ...

One Big Party?

In One Big Party, students learn about the role of political parties in the United States and the influence parties have in our political system, including the role of th...

Party Systems

Does every country have Republicans and Democrats? (Spoiler alert: No.) Use this mini-lesson to show your students that there...

Political Debate Guide

Use this activity to help your students view any political debate — local to national, historical to live broadcast. Preview candidates, issues, expectations, and details about the ...

Primaries, Parties, Caucuses & Conventions

Oh my! Come face to face with the big events and mile markers of the electoral process and learn what a candidate must do before reaching the final test: the general election. VIEW LESSON PLAN >>

The Electoral Process

Take a peek into the electoral process with this lesson - from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral Col...

The First 100 Days

Even presidents have to worry about making the grade! Discover the history behind the “First 100 Days” and its impact on the American presidency with this new lesson plan that...

The Fourth Branch: You!

Young people may not feel like they are part of the government, but they are! In this lesson, students learn how citizens influence government and measure the impact of their "citize...

The Presidential Agenda

For the winning candidate, campaign promises evolve into an official presidential agenda. And despite the doubting general public, 75% of agenda goals since Woodrow Wilson have been deliv...

Voting Matters Activity

Your students may be too young to register to vote, but it’s never too early to learn about what it takes to get to the ballot!  This activity is a great way to kick off the el...

Voting Rights

Explore the evolution of voting rights in the United States through an interactive PowerPoint presentation highlighting landmark changes. Following the presentation and class discussion, ...