The Electoral College | Elections 101

Main Objective

Students will analyze the processes involved and the reasons we use the electoral college system of presidential selection and the strategy required for a successful victory.

Additional Objectives

be able to define the role of an elector and how electors are chosen.
understand the Framer’s original plans, reasoning for the plan, and changes that have been made over time.
debate pros and cons of the electoral college system and various alternative plans proposed for electing the president.
analyze historical and current election information in various forms as evidence in the creation of their victory campaign strategy.

90

Minute Curriculum

Activities

An Introduction to the Electoral College and the Results that Affect the Election
A Lecture on The Electoral College w/ Interactive Notes
A Group Exercise on the Pros and Cons of the Way We Elect Our President
A Partner/Group Exercise on Winning the Electoral College and the Presidency

Materials

Download the 90-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Electoral College Intro to Election Results
Computer with Internet Access OR Student Computer Access
The Electoral College PowerPoint
- The Electoral College PowerPoint Interactive Notes
Pros/Cons Research Form
The Electoral College Pros/Cons Article
Video Clips:
- CSPAN: Electoral College
- CSPAN: Constitution Day
Winning the Electoral College
- Winning the Electoral College (Teacher)
270 To Win Website
- If Internet Access is Limited, an Electoral College Map can be Found Here

Other Resources: Day 7 References

Homework: Electoral Map Campaign Strategy Assignment – Each student should create a written campaign strategy for either the Republican or Democratic Party that attains at least 270 electoral votes. At a minimum, this strategy should contain a description of the states that are ‘safe’ and those that are in-play as ‘swing states’ with the amount of time that needs to be focused on each state to win.

60

Minute Curriculum

Activities

An Introduction to the Electoral College and the Results that Affect the Election
A Lecture on The Electoral College w/ Interactive Notes
A Group Exercise on the Pros and Cons of the Way We Elect Our President
A Partner/Group Exercise on Winning the Electoral College and the Presidency

Materials

Download the 60-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Electoral College Intro to Election Results
Computer with Internet Access OR Student Computer Access
The Electoral College PowerPoint
- The Electoral College PowerPoint Interactive Notes
Video Clips:
- CSPAN: Electoral College
- CSPAN: Constitution Day
Winning the Electoral College
- Winning the Electoral College (Teacher)
270 To Win Website
- If Internet Access is Limited, an Electoral College Map can be Found Here

Other Resources: Day 7 References

Homework: Electoral Map Campaign Strategy Assignment – Each student should create a written campaign strategy for either the Republican or Democratic Party that attains at least 270 electoral votes. At a minimum, this strategy should contain a description of the states that are ‘safe’ and those that are in-play as ‘swing states’ with the amount of time that needs to be focused on each state to win.

30

Minute Curriculum

Activities

An Introduction to the Electoral College and the Results that Affect the Election
A Lecture on The Electoral College w/ Interactive Notes

Materials

Download the 30-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Electoral College Intro to Election Results
Computer with Internet Access OR Student Computer Access
The Electoral College PowerPoint
- The Electoral College PowerPoint Interactive Notes
270 To Win Website
- If Internet Access is Limited, an Electoral College Map can be Found Here

Other Resources: Day 7 References

Homework: Electoral Map Campaign Strategy Assignment – Each student should create a written campaign strategy for either the Republican or Democratic Party that attains at least 270 electoral votes. At a minimum, this strategy should contain a description of the states that are ‘safe’ and those that are in-play as ‘swing states’ with the amount of time that needs to be focused on each state to win.

Standards

Iowa Core: SS.9-12.PSCL.1: Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the values of lifelong civic action.
Iowa Core: SS.9-12.PSCL.4: Understand the differences among the complex levels of local, state and national government and their inherent, expressed, and implied powers.
Iowa Core: SS.9-12.PSCL.5: Understand strategies for effective political action that impact local, state, and national governance.
Iowa Core: SS.9-12.PSCL.6: Understand how law and public policy are established at the local, state, and national levels of government.
Iowa Core: SS.9-12.H.2: Understand how and why people create, maintain or change systems of power, authority, and governance.
Iowa Core: WHST.11-12.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Iowa Core: RH.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.