Candidate Evaluation

Lesson Plan

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 political candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process is also discussed.

Check out our Candidate Report Card activity where students apply the skills they learn in this lesson to current political races.

Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!

Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters.

Downloadable Resources

Resources for this lesson are available in print and digital form. A free teacher account is required to access them.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to...

This Lesson Plan is included in the following units:

Related Resources

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 College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's activities below!Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum…
View
Lesson Plan

The Poll Picture (Infographic)

Public opinion polls can give insight into people's priorities and opinions, and give candidates and the media a sense of the whole picture.
View
Lesson Plan

The Spectrum of State Election Laws (Infographic)

Voting laws vary by state. Where do your state's laws fit on the wide spectrum of election laws across the country?
View
WebQuest

Voting by Mail

Because of concerns over COVID-19, many states may ask people to vote by mail this year. Are you ready to vote on Election Day 2020?
View
Lesson Plan

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 election season, and promote voter registration in the larger community. Students will learn about how registration and voting works in their state, and create a flyer to share with someone in their life. National Voter Registration Day is in late September each year, and has a mission of registering voters across the country.Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our …
View
Lesson Plan

Voting Rights

Explore the history of voting rights in the United States through an interactive PowerPoint presentation highlighting landmark changes. Following the presentation and class discussion, students apply the new knowledge of how voting legislation evolved to individual scenarios through a class activity. Get more great material on Voting Rights in our Google Slide DeckLove this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters. iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.
View
Lesson Plan

Voting: Will You Do It?

Voting isn't a requirement, but it is our responsibility and our right. And it's the most direct way that every citizen can influence government. Will you do it?Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below! Or use our Google Slide and Pear Deck activities!
View
Game

Win the White House

Run your own presidential campaign!
View
Lesson Plan

Win the White House Extension Pack

Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Win the White House. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts.Win the White House and its Extension Pack are correlated according to WIDA's methodology using the WIDA PRIME V2 Inventory. To see how these materials best meet your ELL students' needs, click here. (Note: PRIME stands for Protocol for Review of Instructional Materials for ELLs.)
View