Recommended for Seventh Grade to Twelfth Grade
Video Segments for the Gubernatorial Debates, 2010
Teacher’s Guide With Lesson Plans
Debates have become a staple of elections at all levels of government, due to the citizen education efforts of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Citizens have become accustomed to hearing candidates debate thereby providing a glimpse into their personality and the positions they hold. The League of Women Voters is pleased to co-sponsor the Alabama Gubernatorial Debates with the Student Government Associations of the University of Alabama and Auburn University, and ADAP for the 2010 election. Two debates will be held, one on Sept 16, 2010 on the campus of the University of Alabama and a second on Oct 19, 2010 on the Auburn University campus.
This guide will provide lesson plans for use in advance of the debates as well as for the debates themselves. Beginning with instruction on the importance of voting and the history of political debates in America, the guide will also include lessons on how to evaluate a debate as well as a lesson on evaluating the debates themselves.
Lesson 1: Why Vote?
Lesson 2: Let's Vote! What Do You Need to Know to Vote In Alabama?
Lesson 3: The Impact of Political Debates in the Television Age
Lesson 4: Analyzing Gubernatorial Debates: The 2010 Election
These lessons may be taught as a unit or may be selected for custom use by the instructor and modified.
State Standards for the Gubernatorial Debate Guide 2010
Grade 7 Civics
Standard 3 Describe essential characteristics of state and local governments in the United States.
Standard 4 Compare duties and functions of members of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of local, state, and national governments.
Standard 9 Identify individual and civic responsibilities of citizens of the United States.
Examples: individual—respect for rights of others, self-discipline, negotiation, compromise; civic—respect for the law, patriotism, participation in the political process
Grade 12 American Government
Standard 4 Describe specific functions, organization, and purposes of state and local governments.
Examples: functions-providing educational funding, ensuring personal security, regulating transportation
Standard 5 Trace the expansion of suffrage and its effect on the political system of the United States.
Example: suffrage for non-property owners, women, African Americans, and persons 18 years of age
Standard 6 Describe the development and functions of special interest groups.
Examples: Buckley versus Valeo, legislation regarding campaign reform
Standard 7 Trace the development and impact of the media on the political process and public opinion in the United States.
Examples: party press, penny press, print media, yellow journalism, radio, television, Internet, 2000 presidential election
Standard 8 Identify roles political parties play in the functioning of the political system of the United States.
Grades 9-12 Computer Applications
Standard 3 Demonstrate advanced technology skills, including compressing, converting, importing, exporting, and backing up files.
Standard 6 Utilize advanced features of multimedia software, including image, video, and audio editing.
Standard 10 Analyze capabilities and limitations of current and emerging technologies.
Standard 12 Use digital tools to publish curriculum-related content.
Standard 13 Demonstrate collaborative skills using curriculum-related content in digital environments.
National Standards
Theme X: Civic Ideals and Practices
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic.
• Middle School - By the middle grades, students expand their ability to analyze and evaluate the relationships between ideals and practice. They are able to see themselves taking civic roles in their communities.
• High School - High school students increasingly recognize the rights and responsibilities of citizens in identifying societal needs setting directions for public policies, and working to support both individual dignity and the common good. They learn by experience how to participate in community service and political activities and how to use democratic process to influence public policy.
Lesson Plans Developed by:
Scarlett Gaddy
Hillcrest High School
300 Patriot Pkwy
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405