Describes how a high school helps students analyze their own political views in order to make intelligent voting decisions. The approach uses a political spectrum, running from extreme right to extreme left, illustrated with examples at various points. Statements of political candidates are then categorized by the students. (JDH)

These C-SPAN lesson plans focus on U.S. presidential campaign 2000 events. The six lesson plans are titled, as follows: (1) "Campaign Overview"; (2) "Campaign Kickoffs"; (3) "Primary Caucuses"; (4) "National Conventions"; (5) "General Election: Presidential Debates"; and (6) "General Election:…

Presents a lesson for teaching about the development of political party platforms dealing with American Indian issues. Explains that, although Indians are part of the electorate and sometimes hold political office, Indian issues are included in political platforms rarely if ever. Includes a list of contemporary issues to be used for discussion.…

Reports on a voting project in an interdisciplinary humanities class to help students think carefully about the qualities and qualifications of political leaders. Describes how the students integrated research, reading, and writing skills to engage in campaigning and other election-related activities for political candidates whose characters they…

Provides a taxonomy of subskills needed to interpret political cartoons. Focuses on two of the subskills (caricature and symbolism) in detail. Includes copies of political cartoons that all pertain to the electoral process, guidelines for selecting cartoons for classroom use, and a list of resources. (CMK)

This C-SPAN guide helps teachers and students follow the presidential campaign process from September 1999 through January 2001. The guide features five components of a U.S. presidential campaign: (1) "Campaign Overview"; (2) "Campaign Kickoffs"; (3) "Primaries/Caucuses"; (4) "National Conventions"; and (5)…

These C-SPAN lesson plans focus on U.S. presidential campaign 2000 topics. The broad divisions for the 11 lesson plans are: (1) "Roles of the Media--Spin"; (2) "Roles of the Media--Polls"; (3) "Fundraising: Early Money"; (4) "Campaign Advertising: Language of Advertising"; (5) "Campaign Advertising:…

In this lesson plan, students are assigned a member of the California Assembly to research and a political faction to represent. Students examine representative bills voted on by the California Assembly to determine if their member's voting record coincides with the views of their political faction. Ultimately, students must decide whether, and…

Presents a secondary school lesson on cumulative voting in political elections. Encourages students to recognize the controversial nature of linking cultural diversity and voting rights. Includes learning objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and a student handout. (CFR)

Describes two civics lessons for elementary school students that use the World Wide Web: (1) kindergarten and first-grade students research the White House as a means to understanding the office of the presidency; and (2) fourth and fifth graders examine viewpoints about public issues discussed by presidential candidates. (CMK)

Illustrates the value of comparative history in using the past to understand the present and anticipate the future. Presents a comparison of the 1920s with the 1970s, using the Teapot Dome and Watergate scandals; World War I and the Vietnam War; and Presidents Warren G. Harding and Richard M. Nixon as main points of comparison. (LS)

This manual guides K-12 teachers through a two-week study of the election process in Indiana culminating in a school-based election. Election procedure is followed from voter registration through election returns. Indiana law mandates the study of elections during election years; this manual was created to facilitate the process. Grade levels and…

Presents a learning activity calling upon students to choose the best candidate for U.S. President. Requires students to examine the qualifications for the position, brainstorm and discuss additional qualifications, study the backgrounds of potential candidates, choose candidates, and defend choices. Includes references and the backgrounds of…

This document contains three lesson plans for teaching secondary school students about politics and the media. Each lesson plan includes an overview, a resource list, and learning activities. Lesson 1, "The Editing Room," teaches students about: (1) current affairs; (2) editing processes in selecting stories for newspapers, broadcasts,…

This curriculum unit on social studies and service learning was developed during the 1996 Presidential elections. In this unit middle school students not only learn about citizenship and democracy, they also practice civic action through voter registration and community surveying. The unit helps students develop critical thinking skills as they…