Alabama Social Studies SS24.USG.9

SS24.USG.9 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.USG.9a

  Analyze how public opinion is measured through polling.

• SS24.USG.9b

  Analyze the influence of television and digital media on elections and campaign spending.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain how news coverage, TV ads, and social feeds can affect which issues voters notice and how they view candidates. They check who a poll surveyed and how its questions were worded. They explain how paid ads reach voters and add to campaign costs.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given a poll, a student can spot a biased sample or leading question and explain why a small lead may not be certain. They can compare a TV ad with a sponsored post, identify who paid, and explain how each might influence voters.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may treat a poll of a candidate’s followers as a measure of all voters. They may read a small lead as a sure win, even when it falls within the margin of error. Some mistake sponsored posts for unpaid news or assume ad views turn into votes.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A candidate’s followers answer an online poll, and 62% support her. Her campaign then buys a targeted video ad. Name one reason the poll may mislead, one way the ad might shape opinion, and one cost the campaign incurs.

1. 01

   Give pairs neutral and leading versions of a school lunch question; have each poll five classmates and compare the results.

2. 02

   Show a TV ad and a sponsored social post; ask who paid, who might see each, and how they frame the candidate.

3. 03

   Play Poll Detective with printed poll screenshots; teams earn points for spotting volunteer samples, leading wording, or missing sample sizes.

4. 04

   Open Meta Ad Library and find a paid election ad; record its sponsor and spending range, then discuss whom its wording tries to persuade.

• SS24.USG.5b

  Describe how the president of the United States uses informal powers to shape public opinion, including interaction with media and the public, head of party, an...

• SS24.CWI.11

  Identify and describe strategies that facilitate public discussion on current events.