Elections

Nine suggestions for supporting students and strengthening your classroom community in these challenging times. Some are quick and easy, to calm the mind and body, keep in your pocket and have at the ready. Others are more complex for a full- or half-period lesson, and can build on one another.

In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, educators are looking for ways to address students' anxieties, build the classroom and school community, counter bias and harassment, and address political issues raised by the election.

This lesson examines the increasing wealth disparity between government representatives and the people they serve. Students read and share their ideas about lack of working-class representation in government and how this impacts lawmaking policy at all levels.

After an activity on adultism and ageism, students read about and discuss why the U.S. Congress has become older than ever, what impact that might have, and how young people could get more involved.

Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote? Students learn about the debate to lower - or raise - the age, and consider the pros and cons.  

Students engage in inquiry to uncover the history of redistricting and gerrymandering and discuss the provisions of H.R.1, which proposes an end to partisan redistricting.

The 2020 presidential election is a major teachable moment for young people – and a huge opportunity to engage students in the issues that will shape their lives. But will teachers be able to take advantage of it?

The answer depends on you.

Students learn what gerrymandering is and why it poses a problem for U.S. democracy, and consider recent attempts to combat the practice.

Students consider the history of "dog-whistle" politics and whether the current campaign season marks a break from the past practice by making racial references overt.   

Polls show that a high percentage of voters are dissatisfied with the 2016 presidential nominees of both major parties. And yet, as in past years, third parties have struggled to gain a foothold. In this lesson, students learn about U.S. election laws that make it difficult for third parties to...