Resources to Support Educators for the 2024 Election and Beyond
The 2024 federal, state, and local elections on November 5 provide an opportunity for real-world and relevant instruction on government, civics, and media literacy!
Teachers in all grades are encouraged to incorporate related, grade-appropriate lessons as the election approaches.
Depending on the grade level, standards-aligned lessons may cover topics such as:
how elections work
the purpose of elections in democratic government
the history of enfranchisement and who can vote today
the roles of elected officials at the local, state, and federal level
responsibilities of each branch of government
historical voting trends in your local area
the role of political parties
candidates' views and proposals on locally relevant issues
political communication and disinformation
Additionally, Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018 encourages high schools provide opportunities for students to register to vote. See here for high school voting resources.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Democratic Knowledge Project: Supporting Elections Conversations & Civil Discourse Virtual Workshop, 10/22, 3-4:30pm (Register here)
Education Development Center: SRVCE media literacy tools mini-showcase, 10/5/24, 2-2:15pm, part of Media Literacy Week Resource Showcase
Edward M. Kennedy Institute: Today’s Vote: Voting Right and Today’s Vote: Electoral College virtual facilitated student programs (by appointment)
Facing History & Ourselves in person educator workshop at Edward M. Kennedy Institute, 10/8/24, 1-5pm: Teaching the Election
Facing History & Ourselves virtual learning series: Democracy in Action: Teaching about the 2024 Election & Educating for Civic Participation
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Education Now webinar, hosted by Meira Levinson; How to teach students, to listen and talk across their differences, particularly post election, 11/14/24, 3:00-3:30
Register early! Dates for many trainings and webinars will take place soon.
Election-Related Instructional Resources
+ Center for Civic Education/MA Center for Civic Education/Revolutionary Spaces
+ Children’s Voting Colloquium
+ CIRCLE
+ Democratic Knowledge Project
Media Literacy Module (free login to DKP Curriculum Portal required to access)
+ Discovering Justice
Children Discovering Justice (CDJ) will add three-four ‘24 election lessons per grade span in Grades K-5. Access the lessons through the CDJ Google Folder on 10/22
+ Education Development Center
+ Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Voting Rights Legislation Classroom Simulation (middle school/high school)
Electoral College Classroom Simulation (middle school/high school)
Campaign Poster Activity (elementary)
Considering Leadership Civic Art Project (middle school)
+ Facing History & Ourselves
“Teaching About Voting and Elections” Ideas This Week article, Aug. 13, 2024
+ Generation Citizen
+ iCivics
Election Headquarters, including:
Cast Your Vote, digital game (MS, HS)
Win the White House, digital game (MS, HS)
The Spectrum of State Election Laws and other infographics (MS, HS)
Candidate Evaluation (MS)
Digital Literacy Library, Verifying Social Media Posts, Lateral Reading and more (MS, HS)
Additional Resources
Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies
For a comprehensive list of additional resources and access to weekly discussion sessions via Zoom on teaching the election, see Teacher’s Guide to the 2024 US Presidential Election.