Mike's+Video+lesson

Kennedy vs. Nixon Debate Grade Level- High School U.S. History Students

Objective- The objective of this lesson is to focus the students on how important a debate can be to determining a leader in pre-election polls and eventually a winner in the election. The focus of the lesson will be to have the students analyze why Kennedy capitalized on his performance in this debate and how this debate led to John F. Kennedy winning the election of 1960.

Length- One class period (50 minutes)

Materials- video of debate []

Background- Students will have been studying the time period of 1960 and how important this election will be. Students will have had the opportunity to do a background analysis of both candidates leading up to this lesson.

Introduction- Students will come into class and be asked to take out a piece of paper to answer some imortant questions. I need their help. I will then start with the first activity

Activities- 1) At the beginning of class I will ask the students to tell me what characteristics go into making various activities a success. They will quickly jot them down. For example...I want to make a movie and I want it to gross 100 million dollars, what are the 3 most important things I will need. I want to hire the best person to be the face of my new business for advertsing. What are 3 things I'm looking for in a person. We are going to pick a person in this class to be President of the school, list 3 most important traits to look for. We will go over the answers and put them on the baord. 2) The students will then watch the video of the debate and list 5 reasons you would vote for Kennedy and 5 reason you would vote for Nixon.

Closure/Homework-. The lesson would end with this critical thinking question to be answered in essay form. " Most people watching this debate on television felt John F. Kennedy was the winner, yet those that listened on radio felt Nixon was the winner. Why might this be the case? Explain.

Analysis: The purpose of this lesson is to have the students realize that this was the first time in modern politics that media and the way media presented an event had a direct impact on the result of a debate. Kennedy came off much more polished and refined on television. His voice had an accent that most of America never heard before. He was young, good looking and came from a wealthy, successful family. Kennedy had also just returned from campaigning in California. Nixon on the other hand, had been ill and had lost weight. His color was pale. His suit blended into the background. He spoke in a very dull, monotone voice. Studenst will be reminded that none of the above points had anything to do with issues in the campaign. It is all extraneous but influential details. But candidates were new to all of this. In today's campaigns, candidates hire public relations consulatants that will choreograph every aspect of every appearance a candidate makes. Clothing style and color all play an integral part in preparation. Candidates will work with acting consultants to prepare them for debates and speeches to show the public they are interesting and can capture people's attention. Unfortunately the issues of the campaign usually fall in line somewhere along the line after the candidate has been prepped on what to say, when to say it and how to react to things that are said. Hopefully students will realize how television and the media hace totally transformed debates and their rolls in elections.

In my AP Government class we talk about and refer to the Media as the //__ 4th Estate __//. It truly has a political power with the American people As I was reading your lesson plan i was thinking about how I could use this activity with my students. That debate was one that shaped how powerful the media can really be in our all of our elections. I even give my students an article that highlights the power of a candidates tie. People will serioulsy vote for someone based on the color of their tie! For a political science class this truly is an appropriate lesson because it shows how our citizens can behave in the politcal arena. Excellent job!
 * Mike

Chad**