Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and executive branches. Page two of this Media Moment Mini-lesson covers horse race journalism, common during election season, and the limitations of this type of coverage. In the activity, students consider an article about a West Virginia Senate primary candidate and practice distinguishing substantive information about a candidate from horse race coverage.
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![What Are Midterm Elections? HS Mini-Lesson Plan - Why Are Midterm Elections Important?](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2022-07/What%20Are%20Midterm%20Elections%20HS%20Mini-Lesson%20Plan_Page_1.png?itok=VRpuxcoG)
![What Are Midterm Elections? HS Mini-Lesson Plan - What is Horse Race Journalism?](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2022-07/What%20Are%20Midterm%20Elections%20HS%20Mini-Lesson%20Plan_Page_2.png?itok=-dbYP_Ot)
![What Are Midterm Elections? HS Mini-Lesson Plan Activity](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2022-07/What%20Are%20Midterm%20Elections%20HS%20Mini-Lesson%20Plan_Page_3.png?itok=-4on6Ams)
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