While provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 continue to guarantee equal voting rights (Dreiband 2017), a fundamental question remains: To what extent do all voters share an equitable experience at the polls? Anecdotally, not everyone has equal access, yet where do these differences exist spatially, are there trends, and how can…

Young people must systematically learn to become voters, and this is especially the case for those who grow up with little to no access to structured civic opportunities like extracurricular activities and community organizing. With those principles in mind, and based on 2018 research and experience with practitioners and partners, the authors…

This teaching case highlights the complex and unique strategic issues facing social media platform companies, using Facebook as the primary, motivating example. The case centers on the breach of trust that occurred when Cambridge Analytica acquired user data from 87 million Facebook accounts and then attempted to sway the 2016 U.S. Presidential…

Teaching about presidential elections at the elementary level can seem a bit daunting at times. Students are quick to share their strong opinions on the current candidates running for office. These opinions often involve repeating feelings and phrases shared by parents around the dinner table the night before. For the average seven- or…

With the 2016 presidential election right around the corner, geography provides a dynamic view of the spatial patterns and processes that shape the electorate. The major presidential campaigns know that a winning strategy must use geography to make informed decisions about where to allocate limited resources such as money and staff. In the end,…

Learn how to design history lessons that foster students' knowledge, skills, and dispositions for civic engagement. Each section of this practical resource introduces a key element of civic engagement, such as defending the rights of others, advocating for change, taking action when problems are observed, compromising to promote reform, and…

This article presents two lessons. The first one is "Carved in Stone: The Preamble to the Constitution" by Steven S. Lapham. In 1937, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) commissioned artist Lenore Thomas to create some sculptures for the planned community of Greenbelt, Maryland. Part of her work consisted of bas-relief friezes on the…

The background material and activities in this publication will help prepare high school students to exercise their right to vote. Although written specifically for use in South Carolina, the publication can easily be adapted for use by teachers in other states. Examples of the different kinds of materials and activities follow. One activity…

Students need to learn about the real-world issues our nation faces. They need to understand how concerned individuals gather information, consider opposing opinions, come to conclusions, and act on their beliefs. Background information, resources, and classroom activities are provided to help students understand the importance of voting. (DF)

The first item in this packet is a pamphlet on how to vote and the election process. The pamphlet includes comprehensive information at a reading level that can be understood by many adults who have not graduated from high school. The pamphlet was designed by volunteer tutors of adult literacy students in Maine. The tutors researched information,…

Most of the material for this issue of the "Goldfinch," which explores the life of Carrie Chapman Catt, came from the archives of the State Historical Society of Iowa. Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) was an Iowan who advocated woman suffrage and spent 26 years actively working for that cause. The issue contains a biography of Catt, and…

This resource booklet contains activities for elementary teachers who want to teach their students about voting and the election process. Part I consists of suggestions for conducting an election at different grade levels. All of the elections involve real choices that affect the student (e.g. choice of ice cream flavor or other treat for a class…

This teacher's guide accompanies a video which focuses on Ohio's government system. The 30-minute stand alone video offers a teaching opportunity for exposing high school students to the responsibilities of participating in elections. The video covers the division of powers among federal, state, and local governments; distinguishes between elected…

Provides a lesson that focuses on the history of voter representation in the United States. Explains that students will read, "Whose Voice Is Heard,""How Should U.S. Elections Be Managed?," and other student handouts in this issue of "Insights on Law and Society." (CMK)

A class project that involved three sixth-grade classes in holding a mock presidential election is described. Students manned registration booths, held rallies, made speeches to explain the issues, and actually voted. (RM)