Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide

Grade Range: 6-12
Resource Type(s): Lessons & Activities
Duration: 30 minutes
Date Posted: 2/19/2020

With and without the vote and throughout American history, young people have been a force to be reckoned with as they take action and stand in support of the issues that matter most. In 2020 this legacy will continue; 22 million young people will be eligible to vote in American elections for the first time and countless more will likely participate in the electoral process in other ways. The Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) video series from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History shares 10 stories of young people shaping and changing elections throughout American history.

This educator guide provides conversation strategies for your classroom to help your students discuss what it means to be a young person participating in elections today. For the accompanying video series, access it here.


Instructional Strategies