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By WKamps
On July 5, 2017

Lesson Plan: Eyeing the 2018 Midterm Elections

Partisanship & 2018

Brief overview of the latest trends in US voting and rising partisanship.

Description

While the 2018 midterm election isn’t here yet, there is already groundwork for speculation as to how the nation may vote, and the impact it may have on both political parties as well as the Trump administration. At the end of this lesson, students will be able to identify and evaluate some of the potential issues raised during the election in regard to relevance and voter interest. Students will also compare the varying perspectives of the leading political parties in regards to their expectations of the 2018 election results.

Procedures

  • STEP 1:

    Opening Discussion: What do you think motivates people most to go vote? Is it the person, a key issue, or a reaction to an event?

    • Right now, the Republicans are the governing party in Washington. To what extent can they maintain this advantage? If not, what factors could contribute to a shift in political power in 2018?
  • STEP 2: Introduce Videos

    Topic 1 - Engaging the Political Map:

    Video Clip: Partisanship & 2018 (3:07)

    Video Clip: Competitive Districts (2:58)

    Topic 2: The Republican Party in 2018:

    Video Clip: 2018 Republican Strategies (5:25)

    Video Clip: Republican Advantages in 2018 (2:44)

    Topic 3 - The Democratic Party in 2018:

    Video Clip: 2018 Democratic Strategies (4:11)

    Video Clip: Healthcare & Democratic Party Base (2:59)

  • STEP 3:

    Break students into 3 groups and delegate a video assignment to each group, giving each student a the accompanying video analysis handout to process material. Groups will then take a few minutes to discuss and compare notes.

    HANDOUT: 2018 Midterm Elections (Google Doc)

  • STEP 4:

    Class will then be re-assigned into three new groups with students from each of the previous 3 groups to participate in a timed fishbowl activity. Group members not actively participating in the fishbowl are responsible for taking notes on the other two fishbowl discussions. Groups will have 10 minutes to discuss one of the following focusing questions:

    • What appear to be the greatest motivators for each party in 2018? To what extent can those motivations create advantages?

    • What stumbling blocks are present for both parties that may impact the 2018 results? Which party may have the bigger “hill to climb?”

    • What solutions can you offer regarding the growing partisanship in the electorate? In other words, how can active citizens work to address the political and geographical divisions that are present in our current national climate?
  • STEP 5:

    Additional Activities

    If time permits, students can draft a letter to their Senator or Representative about their concerns for the 2018 election and the current partisan environment, especially if either or both are up for reelection in 2018.

    For a longer or more in depth assignment, students can examine the following budget proposals for 2018 and develop a research project on the importance and priority of each of these areas in government.

Worksheets

Additional Resources

Vocabulary

  • Campaign
  • Democratic Party
  • House Of Representatives
  • Midterm Elections
  • Partisanship
  • President
  • Republican Party
  • Senate

Topics

Campaigns & ElectionsLegislative BranchPolitical Parties

Grades

High School