U.S. Elections: Civics Lesson
Lesson Plan
2 hours 20 minutesGrades6, 7, 8Social Studies
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Ben Charles
About this lesson
Students learn about U.S. elections and research elections that impact climate issues.
Inquire: Students have a discussion about U.S. elections and learn facts about different types of elections.
Investigate: Students research a representative’s position on climate change and an upcoming election that will have a climate-related impact.
Inspire: Students create an action plan to brainstorm ways they can have an impact on elections.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson is designed to be taught in three days. The Inquire, Investigate, and Inspire sections can each take place on a separate day.
- Student Documents can be collected at the end of the lesson and serve as a summative assessment.
- Students should be comfortable differentiating statements of fact and statements of opinion. The lesson Facts and Opinions can be a helpful lesson to teach first.
Prerequisites
- Although some scaffolding is provided, basic research skills will be helpful for the Investigate section of this lesson.
- Students should have some basic knowledge of the branches of government and the system of checks and balances since this lesson does not touch upon checks and balances.
- Students should be familiar with or look up civic vocabulary terms such as candidate, representative, and election prior to the lesson.
- This lesson intentionally does not refer to Republicans or Democrats. Here is a simple and strictly factual way to introduce these political parties if teachers choose to do so:
- Democrats are represented by the donkey mascot and the color blue.
- Republicans are represented by the elephant mascot and the color red.
- Students should already have some familiarity with climate solutions. If students are not as familiar with possible solutions consider exploring this En-Roads lesson from Citizens’ Climate Education.
Differentiation
- The election facts slides in the Teacher Slideshow include additional facts in the speaker notes. Teachers should feel free to swap in the facts they find most relevant.
- This video provides information about democracy and voting.
- If you are teaching this lesson to older students who are of voting age, consider editing the reflection questions to better address their voting status.
- The research parts of the Investigate section can be done in groups or strategic pairings to help students who need additional support.
- Students can create an informational guide for parents based on a candidate or issues. Give students a choice about making it informational or about taking a stand on an issue.
- This lesson is about U.S. elections but consider asking students, “What do you know about elections in other countries?” Or provide time for students to research the election system in a country of interest.
- Students can read and reflect on student lobbying. Schools for Climate Action is a youth-led campaign and this article gives more context on student advocacy for climate change education.
- Classes that want to extend the action component of the lesson can connect with projects like Climate GOAT Campaign or Roots & Shoots.
From the scientist review
Students can study about the U.S. election system and voting procedures as well as how elections may affect government policies, actions, and agendas related to the global climate crisis. The lesson will strengthen students' ability to support politicians who can galvanize political support for climate action. After review, the lesson was found to be credible in terms of science.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writer
Ben Charles
Chief of Partnerships and Communication
Ben Charles holds a Master's Degree in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. He has nine years of experience teaching grades 3–7 across multiple subject areas. His expertise includes interdisciplinary instruction designed to support diverse learners and foster meaningful student engagement
