Interactive U.S. Election Lessons | Presidential Activities (5th–8th Grade)

Here’s what’s included in this Election Unit

• 5 lesson plans (60 minutes each)
• All student materials (worksheets, articles, task cards, and more)
• Answer keys
• 2 Slideshows
• Editable end-of-unit study guide and test
• Editable letter to parents
• pacing guides and teacher instructions
• Google Slides versions of the lessons
• Easy printing file with all student worksheets and articles

Lesson Objectives & Activities

Lesson 1: Citizenship & Civil Discourse

Objectives: I can define citizenship and explain the importance of voting. I can have a civil discussion with others, even if we disagree.

Activities:

• Jigsaw & Task cards
• Skit
• Chat stations

Lesson 2: Presidential Election Process

Objectives: I can explain what U.S. presidents do, what political parties are, and how the presidential election process works. I can use my knowledge of the presidential election process to participate in a mock election for a fictional class president.

Activities:

• Presidential Election Slideshow + Notes
• Mock Election begins
  • Students are assigned to a political party: The Memory Maker Party or the Snack Squad Party.
  • Students “register to vote”
  • Students learn about their four fictional candidates: Isaiah, Emma, Nia, and Aiden.

Lesson 3: Media, Bias, & Primaries

Objectives: I can analyze the media’s role in an election, distinguish between truth and misinformation, and identify bias. I can participate in a mock primary election.

Activities:

• Video + Notes on Misinformation
• What is Bias?
  • Students read an article about bias and identify their own biases on non-controversial issues.
• Analyzing Media Gallery Walk
  • Students analyze social media posts, newspaper articles, and YouTube thumbnails about the fictional candidates. They identify if the information is accurate, if the source is trustworthy, and what the source’s bias is.
• Mock Primary Election
  • Students read about primaries, caucuses, and national conventions
  • Students use a mail-in ballot to vote for a candidate from their assigned party

Lesson 4: Presidential Debates

Objectives: I can thoughtfully analyze a mock presidential debate. I can explain why I am voting for a candidate using evidence and create a persuasive campaign poster about my favorite candidate.

Activities:

• Mock Presidential Debate Reader’s Theatres
• Debate Discussion
  • Students participate in a civil discussion about the debate.
• Persuasive Campaign Posters
  • Students decide who they are voting for in the primary election. After analyzing historical campaign posters, they create a poster for their favorite candidate.

Lesson 5: General Election & The Electoral College

Objectives: I can explain how a general election works, including the impact of the popular vote and the Electoral College. I can participate in an Electoral College simulation.

Activities:

• Read about General Elections & the Electoral College
• Historic Election Gallery Walk
  • Students analyze the results of the last eight elections to determine who won the popular vote versus the Electoral College.
• Electoral College Simulation
  • Students experience a mock Electoral College and compare the results to the popular vote.
• What Happens After the Election? article

How to Use in the Classroom

This unit has five lessons, each with 60 minutes of activities. This unit is packed with activities and could easily be taught over two weeks instead of one. To see a pacing guide, check out the preview. 

For 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students

The unit articles and task cards are written at a 7th-8th grade reading level. If you teach one of those grades, your students will be able to complete the activities more or less independently.

If you teach 5th or 6th grade, I recommend reading and analyzing the articles with your students. They will do great! Check out the reviews to see how teachers at your grade level have successfully used and loved this unit.

In-Person & Remote Learning

I designed this unit to be printed out and used in an in-person classroom. 

However, the unit can also be taught remotely. I have created a Google Slides resource for each lesson. Each resource contains student instructions, student worksheets with editable text boxes, and articles/task cards, if applicable. Teachers can assign Google Slides via Google Classroom.

Traditional Classroom vs. Homeschooling

This Election Unit was designed to be used in a traditional school setting. Almost every lesson includes some type of group work with peers. The activities are interactive and often get kids out of their seats. 

That being said, many homeschooling parents successfully use my units. Before purchasing, know that some lessons must be modified for homeschooling settings.

This Presidential Election Unit also includes digital access via Google Slides.

I have created a Google Slides resource for each lesson. Each resource contains student instructions, student worksheets with editable text boxes, and articles/task cards, if applicable. Teachers can assign Google Slides via Google Classroom.

This Unit is For You If: 

You are a new teacher who wants a high-quality unit for teaching about the election. Nail it right out of the gate by using an easy-to-implement unit that your students will be talking about all year. 

You have been teaching for years but need fresh ideas for teaching about elections and citizenship. You are always seeking to improve your craft and engage students in simulations, when appropriate. 

You want to spend less time preparing for lessons. You want a solution that is easy to prep and teach. 

This Unit is NOT For You If: 

You prefer only PowerPoint lectures and notes. The activities in this unit are varied and interactive. Students will often be getting out of their seats and working with others.