Mini-lesson: Midterm Elections (HS)
Lesson Plan
Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and…
Overview
Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and executive branches. Page two of this Media Moment Mini-lesson covers horse race journalism, common during election season, and the limitations of this type of coverage. In the activity, students consider an article about a West Virginia Senate primary candidate and practice distinguishing substantive information about a candidate from horse race coverage.
Grade Levels
- 9-12
Learning Objectives
- Define midterm elections
- Describe the impact midterm elections have on the executive and legislative branches
- Identify horse race journalism
- Explain how horse race journalism can affect the public