US History and Government Primary, or caucus? US History and Government

What is the difference between a primary and a caucus? Essential Questions State Standards Grade Level/Time Overview)   What is a Primary? How are candidates for U.S President nominated by the Democratic and Republican Parties? What is the difference between a primary and a caucus? Standard 5.1: Students will use evidence to document the development and evolu- tion of the American political party system and explain the historic and current roles of political parties. 7-12th Graders 2 50 Minute Class Periods Lesson Source: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/primaries-and-caucuses-how-do-the-parties-choose-a-candidate-lesson-plan/ This lesson may be used to introduce students to the system of primaries and caucuses by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by their parties. It will take 1 – 2 class periods. It may be used in any social studies class in which current events are discussed, but it is especially relevant in a U.S. government or civics course.  Objective After completing this lesson, students will understand the process by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. They will identify and understand differences between primaries and caucuses and key terms and issues related to the primary season.

Materials How Does the Primary Process Work – Article https://votesmart.org/education/presidential-primary#.WWD5NxPyvOR Primary Elections Explained – Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs Primaries Handout http://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/newshour/extra/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/12/Primaries- Handout1.pdf Key - http://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/newshour/extra/wp- content/uploads/sites/2/2015/12/Primaries-Handout-Key.pdf Everything You Need to Know About How the Presidential Primary Works – Article https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/05/12/everything-you-need-to-know- about-how-the-presidential-primary-works/?utm_term=.c67125753c59 How the Iowa Caucus Works, Featuring Legos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJqv--jyXPg

Introduction to the primary process Primary Elections Explained – Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_95I_1rZiIs

Background - Nominating process/primary season How Does the Primary Process Work – Article Discuss as a class https://votesmart.org/ education/presidential - primary#.WWD5NxP yvOR

Primaries handout Pass this handout to the class and have them complete it in groups. Primaries Handout http://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/newshour/extra/wp- content/uploads/sites/2/2015/12/Primaries-Handout1.pdf Key - http://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/newshour/extra/wp- content/uploads/sites/2/2015/12/Primaries-Handout-Key.pdf

Discussion 1 – The System Think about the process of nominating a party’s candidate for president. How has this process changed over the last 40 years? Why? What impact have these changes had on nominating conventions? What do you think of these changes?

Discussion 2 – the schedule Explain the impact of frontloading. What special importance does the primary schedule give to states with earlier primaries? To candidates who organize and fundraise early? What has happened to the effective length of the primary season? According to the Washington Post ARTICLE, what recent changes were made to the primary schedule based on the primary season of 2012?

Discussion 3 - comparisons Compare the primaries and caucuses to the general election for president in terms of participation. What percentage of the population votes in primaries? How does this differ from the general election for president? How else do those who vote in the primaries differ from the electorate as a whole? Analyze the implications of these differences.

Get involved!!! Learn more about and get involved in your state’s primary/caucus. You can find your state HERE. Questions for Further Research What is the history of primaries and/or caucuses in your state? How do the parties differ in the rules they set for the primary or caucus in your state? How would an interested voter get more involved in the process? What special role, if any, is your state’s primary or caucus likely to have in this year’s presidential primary season? Who do you expect to do well in your state and why? Students may get more involved by working on the campaigns of particular candidates, helping to inform voters by volunteering for nonpartisan organizations such as The League of Women Voters, or by “poll watching” on primary day.

Conclusion – wrap up How The Iowa Democratic Caucus Works, Featuring Legos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= SJqv--jyXPg

Additional resources PBS NewsHour Election coverage Iowa Caucus 101 Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids Federal Election Commission Project Vote Smart Politico http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/primaries-and-caucuses-how-do- the-parties-choose-a-candidate-lesson-plan/