Matters of Education

Learning Happens Everywhere

The Electoral College, Gr 9-12

Length of Time:   2 Class Periods

Description

America elects its president in a complicated way. Some parts make sense while others are quite confusing. But there is a strict set of rules to follow. One can question the wisdom of this 18th century system that dictates to voters in the 21st century. The framers considered voting a privilege and an obligation and ensured that the people would have to work hard for this opportunity to participate in a republican form of government. In this lesson, students will explore how they make choices in their own lives as a way to understand this part of our political process.

Essential Questions

What is the Electoral College and how does the United States elect its president?

Common Core Standards

English Language Arts: History/Social Studies: Grades 9-12

RH.9-10.7. Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print or digital text.

RH.9-10.9. Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

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.

RH.11-12.9. Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

Content Standards

US History 1:            Revolution through Reconstruction

Concepts: Origins of Sectionalism

Formation and Framework of American Democracy and Concepts of Government

Political Democratization, 1790-1860

Civil War and Reconstruction

US History 2: 1877-2001

Contemporary America

Continuing Sectionalism

 

Government elective