Alabama Social Studies SS24.US2.20b
The Standard
- SS24.US2.20
- Evaluate how federal policies and legislation have shaped American society since 1988.
Describe the significance of national elections from 1992 to the present, including the 2000 presidential recount in Florida and 2008 election of Barack Obama.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students trace presidential elections from 1992 through 2024 and explain why some results changed American politics. They use election results to explain Florida's role in 2000 and why Obama's 2008 win was historic.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that Clinton's 1992 win ended 12 years of Republican presidents, Florida's 2000 result decided the Electoral College, and Obama became the first Black president in 2008. They can use a timeline and election results to explain why a later election mattered.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the national popular-vote winner always becomes president. They may think the 2000 recount happened nationwide or confuse the first Black presidential candidate with the first Black president.
How to Assess It
- Give students a timeline marked 1992, 2000, 2008, and 2024. Ask them to write one sentence explaining why each election mattered, including Florida's recount and Obama's win.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs result cards for 1992, 2000, 2008, and 2024; have them place each on a floor timeline with one significance note.
Use a 2000 Electoral College map to discuss: How could Florida's recount change the national result?
For a card-match game, pair election years with result cards and significance cards, then defend each match with a specific fact.
Compare your state's 2024 presidential results with a national Electoral College map, then write why the state and national winners match or differ.
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- SS24.US2.20
Evaluate how federal policies and legislation have shaped American society since 1988.
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