LEARN NC

woman holding open voting booth curtain

Election 2008

3.1 Lesson plans on the web

Vintage campaign buttons for American presidential elections

Vintage campaign buttons (Image source. More about the photograph)

General

Vote 2008 (PBS)
Excellent lesson plans for elementary and secondary students on the election process, campaigning, the issues, and more.
Elections in the United States (The New York Times)
A collection of more than fifty lesson plans for all ages on aspects of the election process from issues to primaries to choosing a vice presidential candidate. While most of the plans pertain to the 2008 election, others are outdated though arguably still useful. (Grades K–12)
National Student/Parent Mock Election
Lessons and information leading up to the national mock election on October 30th. This includes instructions and forms for student participation in the mock election.

Elementary

PBS Kids Democracy Project
Lessons about civic involvement, the history of voting rights, and the roles and responsibilities of the United States President are among the interdisciplinary lesson plans designed for grades 3 through 6. All lessons integrate the interactive content available on the PBS Kids Democracy Project website. Includes the activities: “How does the government affect me?” “Inside the voting booth” and “President for a day.” (Grades 3–6)

High School

Presidential Election 2008 (Morningside Center)
“Young voters are ’stoked,’ but are they informed?” This lesson from Teachable Moment provides an overview of young people’s growing political involvement and is followed by a student questionnaire that gauges how informed students are, suggestions for student inquiry, and a listing of online resources.
“The Mystery of the Voters Who Don’t Vote” (EconEdLink)
Americans have fought and died for the right to free elections. So why don’t more Americans vote? This lesson encourages students to look at voting behavior using a cost-benefit approach. (Grades 10-12)
Why vote? (PBS)
Lesson plans and activities aimed at encouraging students to participate in the election process by sharing their views. Includes a section devoted to the history and evolution of political advertising and public service announcements.