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Home > The Legislative Branch > Mini-lesson: Midterm Elections (HS)
Lesson Plan
The Legislative Branch, Mini Media Literacy Library

Mini-lesson: Midterm Elections (HS)

9-12
One class period
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Learning Objectives

The student will be able to...

  • Define midterm elections

  • Describe the impact midterm elections have on the executive and legislative branch

  • Identify horse race journalism

  • Explain how horse race journalism can affect the public

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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.

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ELA/Literacy
Mini-Lesson
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