×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Mini-lesson: The Incumbent Advantage (HS)

Lesson Plan

Students will learn what an incumbent is, the electoral advantage that favors incumbents, and the benefits and drawbacks of reelecting members of Congress. On page two of this Media Moment Mini-lesson, students will learn what distinguishes an opinion piece, op-ed, or commentary from traditional news. Students then practice identifying opinion and news headlines.

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Mini-lesson: The Incumbent Advantage (HS) - What is an Incumbent Lesson Plan - Why do Incumbents Have an Advantage?
Mini-lesson: The Incumbent Advantage (HS) - What is an Incumbent Lesson Plan - Opinion Journalism
Mini-lesson: The Incumbent Advantage (HS) - What is an Incumbent Lesson Plan - News Story vs. Opinion Story

Related Resources

  • Game

    Branches of Power

    Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Campaign Cash (Infographic)

    Every election, candidates spend A LOT of money on their campaign. Do you know where the candidates get that money and what they spend it on?
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    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 kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Can You BILL-ieve It? (Infographic)

    How does a bill become a law? Follow this decision tree through the life and death of a bill in Congress.
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    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 political candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    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 for the office of your choice.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami
  • Game

    Cast Your Vote

    Election Day is coming, are you prepared to vote?
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Congress in a Flash!

    Need to teach the legislative branch in a hurry? This lesson is designed to cover the basics in a single class period. Students learn what Congress is, what the Constitution says about the legislative branch, and how a bill becomes law. They analyze some actual language from the Constitution, compare the House and the Senate, and simulate the lawmaking process by reconciling two versions of the same fictional bill.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    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 elections in your curriculum, this glossary will help. Please note: This is not a lesson plan. It's a glossary that can support any of our lessons or games in your classroom.Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters. 
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Election Results Tracker

    Our Election Results Tracker activity helps students monitor the election results with a map and Electoral College vote counter.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence