Core Skills Analysis
Social Studies
Will followed midterm election results by watching Steve Kornacki and CNN, and learned how polling numbers related to election coverage and how news organizations called races. He encountered election reporting as results developed and learned that midterm voting could communicate voters’ views to the current administration. This connected an election event with the way political participation can send a message about the direction of government.
Civics
Will completed a worksheet about the three branches of government, reinforcing his understanding of the structure of the U.S. government. While following the midterm results, he learned that voters could use their ballots to express a message to the current administration. He also learned the term “lame duck president,” adding a piece of political vocabulary to his study of government and elections.
Tips
Tips Extend Will’s learning by having him compare a polling estimate with the final result for one race and explain what each number represents. Create a simple flowchart showing how election results move from votes to media projections, then discuss why a race may not be called immediately. Invite him to connect the three branches worksheet to a current news example by identifying which branch is involved, using reliable reporting. To explore the “lame duck” term, have him write a short, sourced explanation of what it means and how it relates to the timing of elections and a president’s term.
Learning Standards
- WHI Skills (Virginia History and Social Science SOL, Grade 9): Following election coverage and learning how races are called connected with interpreting information sources; a follow-up comparison of reporting and results can further develop evidence-based conclusions.
Try This Next
- Polling-versus-results worksheet: record one reported poll and the final result, then compare them.
- Race-call explainer: write three questions a reporter should answer before saying an election race has been called.
- Three-branches news check: label a current government-related headline as legislative, executive, or judicial and explain the choice.
- Political vocabulary card: define “lame duck president” in Will’s own words and add a sourced example.