Does the person running for re-election have an advantage over the challenger? Scholars explore the concept of incumbent advantage during elections using an informative mini-lesson explaining the legislative branch. In pairs, they analyze the way the legislative branch sways elections with issues such as gerrymandering. They take a look at current events to uncover possible media bias toward a candidate while researching how it plays a role in the incumbent's chances of re-election. 

Concepts

the united states congress, the legislative branch, elections

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Review concepts of the lesson with a five-question quiz from Quizlet
• Extend the lesson with a short video on the incumbent advantage in the 2012 election

Classroom Considerations

• Requires a projector and computer access if instructors use as a presentation 

Pros

• Provides a teacher answer key for grading purposes 
• Gives a printable worksheet and materials 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3