LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

There's more out there than just Democrats and Republicans!

Students will use the internet to research minority political parties and interest groups. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation (or other type of presentation), write a paper, and create a commercial advertisement for their group using a propaganda technique.

A lesson plan for grades 9–10 Social Studies

By Abby Stotsenberg

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • analyze the platforms, philosophies, and goals of minority political parties and interest groups.
  • apply propaganda techniques (glittering generality, endorsement, name-calling, etc.) as they create a commercial advertisement that is appropriate for use by various political parties and interest groups.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 Days

Materials/resources

Technology resources

  • Access to the internet
  • PowerPoint software or other means for creating visual aids for an oral presentation
  • Projector (LCD or overhead)

Pre-activities

Students should have prior exposure to information on the political spectrum, third party politics, the role of interest groups (including information of PACs and lobbies), and the use of propaganda techniques.

Activities

Days 1-3 (Block Schedule)

  1. Have students break into groups of two and chose a group to research. Students can choose a minority political party or an interest group.
  2. Students will work in groups of two in the computer lab. They will use suggestions on their project sheet to complete research and prepare a presentation about their group.
  3. Students need to use the official websites and run additional searches to learn about the party’s/interest groups’ platform, philosophies, goals, beliefs, etc.
  4. Students should create a PowerPoint presentation, a two-page written summary, and a commercial advertisement for the group that they research.

Days 4-5 (Block Schedule)

  1. Students will present their research to the entire class using their PowerPoint presentation. Presenters will also describe their propaganda techniques and turn in their papers to the teacher. They should be prepared to answer questions from the class.
  2. Students in the audience will take notes on each presentation

Assessment

Rubric is attached to the Project Sheet.

Supplemental information

Comments

I have found this project to be very successful. The students enjoy teaching the lesson and learning from each other. Time can be easily adjusted for 45-50 minute classes. Students without a partner can be exempt from the paper and must only complete the presentation and propaganda. I do not let students work in groups of three or more.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 10

  • Goal 4: The learner will explore active roles as a citizen at the local, state, and national levels of government.
    • Objective 4.01: Examine the structure and organization of political parties.
    • Objective 4.03: Analyze information on political issues and candidates seeking political office.
  • Goal 5: The learner will explain how the political and legal systems provide a means to balance competing interests and resolve conflicts.
    • Objective 5.06: Analyze roles of individual citizens, political parties, the media, and other interest groups in public policy decisions, dispute resolution, and government action.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Social Studies (2010)

      • Civics and Economics

        • CE.C&G.2 Analyze government systems within the United States in terms of their structure, function and relationships. CE.C&G.2.1 Analyze the structures of national, state and local governments in terms of ways they are organized to maintain order,...
        • CE.C&G.4 Understand how democracy depends upon the active participation of citizens. CE.C&G.4.1 Compare citizenship in the American constitutional democracy to membership in other types of governments (e.g., right to privacy, civil rights, responsibilities,...