- Scholastic
News Zone Special Report
This fairly self-contained site limits itself to the 2 major party Presidential
candidates and to short text blurbs on 5 issues: Education, the Environment,
Taxes, Campaign Finance Reform, and Gun Control. While reading candidate
positions on the issues, students can click on links for plain-language
definitions of such terms as "federal funds" and "gun registration."
The site's limitations are exactly what might make it helpful in classes
with lower reading levels.
- Open Secrets News
and Issues (Center for Responsive Politics)
This site takes 9 issues and analyzes them under the following headings:
"What's the issue?" "How it may affect you" "How the Interest Groups
See It". It then takes the very interesting approach of looking at where
the money comes from to support or oppose these issues and which candidates
and parties benefit from these financial contributions. Includes lots
of interesting bar graphs. Language might be difficult without teacher
support/adaptation.
- Public
Agenda Online - The Issues
This site is a good place to do more research about the issues, so that
students (and teachers!) can pinpoint their stance on the issues more
effectively. There are 20 hot-button issues to choose from. One particular
feature I really liked can be found by clicking on the Framing the
Debate link after you click on any issue. Scroll down to the bottom
of the page and click on Perspectives in Brief for the main viewpoints
on that particular issue.
- Freedom Channel
This site offers learners the opportunity to see a candidate via short
video clip, hear the same piece of information in an audio-only clip,
or read a transcript of that same statement. As such, it might be particularly
useful to upper-level ESOL classes or as a reinforcement for native
speakers. The video quality isn't great, but learners can see ads for
Senate and Presidential candidates, in addition to hearing the Presidential
candidates' takes on the issues.
- Dissect an Ad
(Center for Media Literacy)
This site was originally designed as a companion piece for a P.O.V.
show. (P.O.V. is an independent nonfiction film series that airs
on PBS affiliates.) It presents two past political television ads and
asks questions that prompt critical viewing. This exercise could be
extended to current ads, such as those available on Freedom
Channel (above) or via the New
York Times political campaign ads site.
- New York State Board of
Elections
Includes information on how to register, get an absentee ballot, etc.
Also includes the text of a statewide ballot initiative, which, if you
can decipher it yourself, you can help students to break down.
|