Before the Movie:

 

What do you know about Presidential Elections? (Tap prior knowledge)

What would you like to learn about the election process? (Reflect; Set goals)

During the Movie (Pause Points):

 

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 2:02: How are the candidates narrowed down to one nominee per party? (Explain knowledge)

Timecode 3:54: How does the electoral vote system operate? (Recall information)

Timecode 4:44: How do swing states affect the campaign and the nominees? (Identify cause/effect)

After the Movie:

 

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Presidential Election topic. (Make connections)

What might be the advantages and the disadvantages of switching from the electoral college to a popular vote system? (Step back)

BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Presidential Election Topic Page to your class or have students read independently. Then have them watch the movie once through without pausing. Then, watch it again as class, this time using the discussion prompts. to your class.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.