Do you use current events in your classroom instruction? Please take our 3 question survey to help PBS LearningMedia provide current events resources for your classroom. Thank you!
The PBS LearningMedia Election 2012 Collection is an aggregation of curated and contextualized election-related resources for K-12 classrooms with a primary focus on middle and high school. Available resources include both current events for the 2012 Presidential Election and in-depth learning opportunities that can be used in any study of the U.S. government and election processes.
(*Note: You will need to make sure plug-ins on your computer are up to date in order to view video in this election collection.)
In the News...
Congress Returns to Washington to Aim For Balanced Budget in Lame-Duck Session
Watch Congress Returns to Washington to Aim For Balanced Budget on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Also See...
View state-by-state and county level results for the Presidential Election at PBS NewsHour's 2012 Political Map Center.
Explore More...
Multimedia Glossary
Browse a multimedia glossary of election-related key phrases and terms. The glossary provides both definitions and real world examples of some of the key terms students should understand when discussing Presidential Elections.
Multimedia Lesson Plans
Featured Resource: Dollars & Votes: 2012 Election: How does the 2010 Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission impact campaign financing? Consider the rapid increase in Super PACs, as well as key campaign finance reform events in U.S. history.
See more multimedia lesson plans
Digital Definitions with David Gillette
Featured Resource: Election Foundations: In this video, students are introduced to why we have presidential elections in the United States. They will learn what a constitutional democracy is and how the government gets its power from the consent of its citizens. They will understand the important principles of the U.S. Constitution, the foundations of government and the importance of civic participation.
Games and Interactives
Featured Resource: Inside the Voting Booth: Introduce students to the history of suffrage in America. Step into the "Voting Time Machine." Then, fast forward to when your students will vote and discuss today's issues.
See more games and interactives
Audio Resources from NPR
Featured Resource: Presidential Race Looks Different In Electoral College: Robert Siegel talks with Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving about how the contest between President Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is playing out on the Electoral College map.
See more audio resources from NPR
