Voting Rights: Then vs Now Lesson Plan

Directions for Teacher: 

Watch the TRAINING FOR FREEDOM documentary and have the students answer the guiding questions.

In preparation for the discussion, have the students do some research on the issue of modern concerns with voting and voting rights.  

The Essential Question for their research: Are voting rights today secure for all Americans?

Suggested Links for Student Research:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/as-worries-about-u-s-democracy-grow-democrats-and-activists-push-biden-for-voting-rights-legislation

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/elections-and-voting/#:~:text=Today%2C%20citizens%20over%20the%20age,registration%20process%20vary%20by%20State

https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/georgias-new-electoral-maps-dilute-the-power-of-black-voters

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/31/conservative-republicans-are-least-supportive-of-making-it-easy-for-everyone-to-vote/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/07/22/wide-partisan-divide-on-whether-voting-is-a-fundamental-right-or-a-privilege-with-responsibilities/

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/12/873878423/voting-and-elections-divide-republicans-and-democrats-like-little-else-heres-why

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-republicans-wont-support-sweeping-voting-rights-legislation-now-or-anytime-soon/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voting-rights-bill-blocked-by-republican-filibuster

Support Resources for Teaching Controversial Subjects in the Classroom:

Deliberating in a Democracy: resources on teaching difficult subjects in the classroom
http://deliberating.org/

Teaching Controversies Website for Teachers (Dr. Judy Pace) 
https://teachingcontroversies.com/

Book by Dr. Pace about teaching difficult topics in the classroom 
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475851960/Hard-Questions-Learning-to-Teach-Controversial-Issues

Grade Level: 9-12

Ohio’s Learning Standards: Social Studies, AMG.9-12.3

Resources: Voting Rights: Then vs Now Lesson Plan PDF file.