Students investigate state and national politics by holding a class election.  In this government lesson, students utilize video and still cameras to record election races within their class.  Students express their wishes for...

Upper graders play a game as a way to facilitate understanding of US Presidential Campaign issues and strategies. After being divided into small groups, a candidate will be chosen to run for office. Each group creates propaganda to get...

Students discover the political parties of our country by participating in a role playing activity.  In this U.S. Government lesson, students visit several different classrooms that each represent one of the political parties in the...

Use the platforms of the 2004 presidential candidates to bring persuasive writing to your class. Young voters identify the three issues most important to them in the election and research the issues and candidates' positions. They write...

Most American children have, at one point or another, imagined what it would be like to run for president. Offer this creative writing prompt to young writers and discover how the world would change if kids were charge.

Eighth graders participate in a simulated presidential campaign by conducting research on the Internet. They define a party platform, run a campaign and write and deliver speeches in teams. Students can then act as the electoral college...

Young scholars explore how people viewed George Washington in the 19th Century.  In this U.S. History lesson, students create a timeline of events during the Civil War, including government and court decisions.  Following this...

Students examine legislation on immigration policies. They discuss current immigration laws, read a handout, complete a chart, and answer discussion questions.

While some of your students may be too young to vote, they can get involved in the election process by creating a nonpartisan campaign encouraging voter registration. After researching how to register to vote, class members design PSAs,...

Students identify what makes a country democratic and compare United States and Indian political party symbols. They create their own political party and party symbol. They create a campaign speech, participate in the voting process...

High schoolers role play as political analysts first forecasting the electoral college vote in a presidential election and then, following the results of the actual count. They study the role of swing states, and why political...

Young scholars examine the voting practices of the past several presidential elections while using data to determine the influence of different factors. They identify the reasons for high or low voter turnout and then display the outcome...

Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this political systems lesson, students conduct research to compare and contrast the forms of government in the United States and...

Students discover ways to be active citizens. In this civics lesson, students prepare for student body elections by creating election materials an writing manifestos. Students also consider offering their services to local organizations...

What is the purpose of immigration legislation? How has this legislation evolved over the years? What are the factors that caused these changes? Class members research immigration legislation to determine whose rights the laws are...

Students list some issues important during the campaign of 1840. They compare and contrast the careers of Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison before they became president and explain why the Whigs wanted to find a candidate in...

A thorough examination of Andrew Jackson's presidency and politics, these slides contain important facts and pictures of the growing United States. Events such as the Trail of Tears and the Tariff Battles of the early 19th century are on...

An exploration of Indian and Pakistani cultures and conflicts throughout the 20th - 21st centuries, this presentation features relevant political cartoons and poignant photos to illustrate the breadth of politics in India and Pakistan....

Honor Abe Lincoln with a set of activity-based worksheets that can be used independently and in collaborative groups. Young historians participate in a listening activity where they fill in the missing blanks in a passage while being...

Creating an environment where learners feel both educated and empowered challenges any teacher when discussing a sometimes bleak topic. A respectful resource provides them with the details and permits them to make a plan of action....

The Election of 1912: an election with four competitive opponents. Pupils get to know the candidates with informative reading passages that provide context to the election. Then, the class engages in a debate and answers questions as one...

Students discuss the use of visual images, objects, and spectacle in the 1840 campaign, then take a stand: Was the campaign of 1840 based more on substance or image?

Students compare and contrast William Henry Harrison and Martin Van Buren as candidates for president. They explain why the Whigs wanted to find a candidate in the mold of former president Andrew Jackson and discuss whether Harrison fit...

High schoolers reflect on the nature of the campaign of 1840. They identify the positions of the Democrats and the Whigs and their basic differences.