Connecticut Technical High School System
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 09/09
Unit 5: Political Parties and the Election Process
Goal: Students will examine the election process in our two-party system.
Big Idea (s):
Political parties play a major role in the American democratic process. Political parties
provide organized policy options.
Voting is an important right and fundamental opportunity for citizen participation in a
democracy. Each vote is significant that’s why it is important to be an informed voter. The
right to vote has been expanded throughout our history as more groups demanded an equal
role in the political process. Being informed during the election process is important in
selecting the best candidate.
It is the duty of citizens to think critically about the information received through the media
and the success of the republic depends on citizen participation. Public opinion makes
government responsive to the needs of the people.
Elections are the direct expression of the power of the people to create a government of elected
officials they believe best represents them.
Primaries and national conventions give voters greater input in the candidate selection process.
Voter turnout has decreased in recent years as more Americans become disillusioned with the
election process.
Political parties are important for many reasons including making the voice of the people heard,
to help people become interested in national and local politics and to help citizens appreciate the
importance of playing an active role in the electoral process.
Incumbents and the party in power have a greater chance of being elected and re-elected.
Mass media influences public opinion.
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Connecticut Technical High School System
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 09/09
Essential Question (s):
How does the American political system provide for individual choice and opportunities for
participation? What is the role of a citizen in a democracy?
Elections and voting- why should they matter to you?
What is the purpose of the Electoral College? Is it necessary institution today?
How can citizens participate in the political process? How do we elect candidates?
Do we need political parties? Do political parties and the electoral process serve the common
good?
Why don’t more Americans vote in elections?
What forms public opinion? What is the role of media? To what extent do the media influence
your political views? Why is public opinion important in a republic?
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
Literacy 1. Define and apply key
vocabulary/concepts. Suggested strategies:
 Paraphrase/summarize
 Compare/contrast
 Classify
 Categorize
 Discuss/explain
 Illustrate
 Demonstrate
 Reflect/relate
 Infer
10.25 Identify the distinctive characteristics of
American society, the American political
culture, and the values and principles basic to
the American constitutional democracy:
I. Role of Political Parties
A. How Parties help Government.
B. How Parties help Citizens.
II. Our Two Party System
A. Background of the two Party system.
B. Role of Third Parties
C. Characteristics of today’s political parties.
As evidenced by written, oral or visual:





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
Vocabulary journals
Narrative descriptions
2-3 Column Notes (i.e.
term/definition/illustrate/paraphrase/relate)
Lincs/Frayer
Visual representation (i.e concept
diagram/map, graph, chart, drawing, poster,
comic strip, cartoon)
Discussion
Oral presentation
Short answer
Essay
Summary of distinctive characteristics of
political parties and the two party system.
1.8 Apply historical thinking skills, including
chronological thinking, and recognize change over
time.
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Connecticut Technical High School System
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 09/09
10.26 Evaluate demographic factors related to
elections and political parties.
Evaluation of graphic data regarding
demographics and voting. To determine
patterns and cause/effect.
10.27 Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and
responsibilities of citizens to participate in and
shape public policy and contribute to
maintenance of democratic way of life:
III. Choosing Candidates
A. Nominating Candidates
B. Choosing Presidential Candidates
C. Choosing delegates
D. National Convention
Description of the election process.
Analysis of a current election using multiple
sources.
IV. Election Process
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
Issues
Candidates
Platforms
Campaign
Lobbyists
Political Action committees (PACs)
Media coverage
Polls
Voter response
Electoral College
V. Past or present election case study.
a. Issues
b. Campaign Finance
c. Third Party Influence
d. Voting demographics
Resources:
PH Civics CH 22-23
Links to History. Pg. 597
Analyze Diagrams. Pgs. 598-599
Citizen Profiles. Pg. 600
Analyze charts. Pg.602
Debating the Issues. Pg.604
Comparing and Contrasting. Pg. 610
http://www.phschool.com
Interactive Diagram
Web Code mpp-8221
Web Code mpp-8222
Magruder’s Ch 5-9
http://oyez.nwu.edu/
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Voting
http://www.rockthevote.org/index2.html
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Connecticut Technical High School System
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 09/09
http://www.vote-smart.org/
http://www.lwv.org/
Current Issues
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html
http://ddonline.tomsnyder.com/
Voting Surveys:
Beyond Red vs. Blue -http://typology.people-press.org/typology/
Political typology test,Advocates for Self Government - http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html
http://www.stillwater.k12.mn.us/~DamonS/quizzes.htm
http://madrabbit.net/webrabbit/quizshow.html
Citizenship
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/exec/natz/natztest.asp
Political Cartoons
http://cagle.slate.msn.com/politicalcartoons/
US Government
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/index.html
http://www.c-span.org
Extension Activity:
Simulate a political campaign and election.
Conduct a schoolwide mock election.
Teacher(s) Designed Formative Assessments
 TBD
District-wide Trimester Assessment(s)
TBD
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Connecticut Technical High School System
CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 09/09
Concepts
Skills
Students need to know about:
Students need to be able to do:
10.25Distinctive Characteristics of :
 American society
 American political culture
 Principles of American democracy
10.26 Citizens role in a democracy
10.27 Election process:
Case study of a campaign
Identify ( characteristics of American
society, American political culture &
principles of American democracy)
Demonstrate (knowledge of citizens role in
shaping public policy)
Describe and analyze (election process)
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