The Media and Politics - Caucus 101 Iowa Core Curriculum

Main Objective

Students will be able to explain the role of the media in reporting on elections.

Additional Objectives

explain how the media’s use of agenda setting and agenda cutting influences the outcome of the elections.
evaluate the bias presented by some media outlets.

90

Minute Curriculum

Activities

A Lecture on the Influence of the Media and Public Opinion & Political Campaigns w/ Interactive Notes
‘You Be the Reporter’ Assignment
A Lesson on the Progression of Campaign Ads Through Time
An Analysis of Today’s Media in Campaigns

Homework: Use the 2 articles presented in class, “Trump Looks Solid for 2020” and “Trump’s Golf Costs: $102 Million And Counting, With Taxpayers Picking Up The Tab” OR “Joe Biden Is Running For President In 2020” and “Joe Biden: Centrist?” from the “You Be the Reporter” activity and have students use the media analysis form to analyze both articles for homework.

Materials

Download the 90-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Influence of the Media on Public Opinion and Political Campaigns PowerPoint
- Interactive Notes
‘You Be the Reporter’ Handout
Video Clips:
- President Trump Campaign Rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania
- President Joe Biden Campaign Rally in Pittsburg
National Review and Huffington Post Articles
Livingroomcandidate.org
Media Analysis Form
Media Procedures with Teacher’s Notes

60

Minute Curriculum

Activities

A Lecture on the Influence of the Media and Public Opinion & Political Campaigns w/ Interactive Notes
A Lesson on the Progression of Campaign Ads Through Time
An Analysis of Today’s Media in Campaigns

Homework: Use the 2 articles presented in class, “Trump Looks Solid for 2020” and “Trump’s Golf Costs: $102 Million And Counting, With Taxpayers Picking Up The Tab” OR “Joe Biden Is Running For President In 2020” and “Joe Biden: Centrist?” from the “You Be the Reporter” activity and have students use the media analysis form to analyze both articles for homework.

Materials

Download the 60-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Influence of the Media on Public Opinion and Political Campaigns PowerPoint
- Interactive Notes
National Review and Huffington Post Articles
Livingroomcandidate.org
Media Analysis Form
Media Procedures with Teacher’s Notes

30

Minute Curriculum

Activities

A Lecture on the Influence of the Media and Public Opinion & Political Campaigns w/ Interactive Notes
An Analysis of Today’s Media in Campaigns

Homework: Use the 2 articles presented in class, “Trump Looks Solid for 2020” and “Trump’s Golf Costs: $102 Million And Counting, With Taxpayers Picking Up The Tab” OR “Joe Biden Is Running For President In 2020” and “Joe Biden: Centrist?” from the “You Be the Reporter” activity and have students use the media analysis form to analyze both articles for homework.

Materials

Download the 30-Minute Lesson Plan Here
Influence of the Media on Public Opinion and Political Campaigns PowerPoint
- Interactive Notes
‘You Be the Reporter’ Handout
Video Clips:
- President Trump Campaign Rally in Montoursville, Pennsylvania
- President Joe Biden Campaign Rally in Pittsburg
National Review and Huffington Post Articles
Livingroomcandidate.org
Media Analysis Form
Media Procedures with Teacher’s Notes

Standards

Iowa Core SS.9–12.PSCL.5: Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand strategies for effective political action that impact local, state, and national governance.
Iowa Core SS.9–12.PSCL.1: Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
Iowa Core RH.11–12.6: Evaluate authors’ differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors’ claims, reasoning, and evidence.
Iowa Core RH.11–12.8: Evaluate an author’s premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.