With the 2022 U.S. midterm elections only a few weeks away, now is the time to explore these top elections lessons and activities from respected, nonpartisan sources. Most are 100% free.
For extra fun and student engagement, check out the games and interactives.
BEST 2022 ELECTION WEBSITES
Lesson Plan: How States Redistrict - The Case of 2022 (opens in new tab)
A finely detailed, step-by-step lesson plan investigating the redistricting processes currently underway in several states. This classroom-ready lesson includes video clips, graphic organizer, and a Google Slide presentation. Be sure to check out the other great election lessons from C-SPAN Classroom: History of Political Polling (opens in new tab), The 1960 Presidential Election (opens in new tab), History of the American Right Wing (opens in new tab), and Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Case (opens in new tab).
On the Campaign Trail: The Battle for Votes (opens in new tab)
On the campaign trail, candidates make many claims designed to persuade voters that they are the best choice for office. But how much stump speechifying can a voter believe? In this free virtual seminar, students will learn to evaluate candidates’ claims and separate fact from fiction. From the highly respected NewseumEd.
Center for Civic Education Voting Lessons (opens in new tab)
A selection of lessons for elementary, middle, and high school looking at the timeline of U.S. voting history, what it means to be an informed voter, U.S. Presidential elections, and more. Each lesson includes objectives, vocabulary, and classroom activities.
League of Women Voters Personalized Voting Information (opens in new tab)
Although few K-12 students are eligible to vote, it’s never too early to learn the practical aspects of the voting process. Even better, students can access a personalized voter guide providing information about candidates on their local ballot, as well as their biographies and positions on selected issues. A great starting point for a writing or civics assignment.
ADL Teaching about Elections (opens in new tab)
An extensive set of lesson plans, classroom activities, tools, and strategies for teaching about elections and voting. Topics are wide-ranging, from the impact of polls to caucuses in primary elections to political rhetoric. Ideal for middle to high school-aged students.
Facing History and Ourselves - Teaching Resources for the U.S. Elections (opens in new tab)
Facing History's U.S. election-season resources are designed to guide teachers and students in examining the history of voting rights, media literacy, and how young people today can participate in the democratic process.
Best Free Constitution Day Lessons and Activities (opens in new tab)
Our democracy stems from the Constitution. No discussion of voting and elections is complete without an analysis of the document that, to this day, governs U.S election law.
iCivics - Election Headquarters (opens in new tab)
From the highly respected iCivics.org site comes a complete look at state, local, and midterm elections, from the Voting Matters Activity to lesson plans to games and infographics. Bonus: “Students Power Elections,” an election guide written by and for students.
Share my Lesson - Elections And Democracy: Free Lesson Plans And Resources (opens in new tab)
Explore myriad preK-12 civic education resources created by and for teachers. Highlights include Current Events and Voter Issues for 2022, Voter Registration Action Plan, and How To Get Along With Our Political Opposites.
Learning for Justice Future Voter Project (opens in new tab)
Learning for Justice’s Future Voter Project provides resources to educate kids about voting rights and voter suppression, and more importantly, a guide for registering all eligible students by the time they graduate high school. To examine controversial topics, visit the Civil Discourse in the Classroom page.
BEST 2022 ELECTION GAMES AND INTERACTIVES
2022 Election Simulations and Interactives (opens in new tab)
Who will control the U.S. Senate in 2023? Run the simulations and see what might happen -- then make your own prediction. After running the Senate sim, head over to the interactives for the Governors’ races (opens in new tab) as well as the House of Representatives (opens in new tab). Compare your forecast to the pundits’ predictions! Ideal for advanced students and those studying probability or politics.
Indiana University Engaging Congress (opens in new tab)
A fun, interactive, and humorous yet deeply earnest game during which students learn about our representative government and demonstrate their learning through gameplay. The game emphasizes learning via primary source documents and offers useful explanatory videos. Web (opens in new tab), Android (opens in new tab) and iOS (opens in new tab).
Lesson of the Day: A Gerrymandering Game (opens in new tab)
What is gerrymandering and how does it affect the outcome of elections? This New York Times lesson includes vocabulary, the gerrymandering interactive, questions for deeper discussions, and links to relevant articles. A winner in any race.
iCivic Election Games
From iCivics, the champion of nonpartisan civics education, Cast Your Vote (opens in new tab), Branches of Power (opens in new tab), and NewsFeed Defenders (opens in new tab) are perfect for teaching about U.S. elections. Each game is also available in iOS and Android format.
- Fact-Checking Sites for Students (opens in new tab)
- What is The Week Junior and How Can It Be Used to Teach? Tips & Tricks (opens in new tab)
- Awesome Articles for Students: Websites and Other Resources (opens in new tab)
