Modern PolarizationAll 5 grade bands · K-2 through APFree download

2004

Lesson plan.

George W. Bush vs John Kerry — Bush won re-election over Senator John Kerry by focusing on national security and the War on Terror following 9/11. The 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' campaign attacked Kerry's Vietnam War record, despite Kerry being a decorated veteran. Bush's narrow popular vote majority (first since 1988) was built on strong evangelical Christian turnout energized by ballot measures opposing same-sex marriage. Ohio was the decisive state, and Kerry conceded the next morning without legal challenges.

What is in each packet

Contents of each grade band’s packet
Band	Reading	Vocabulary	Questions	Discussion	Also
K-2	467 words	4 terms	3	1 prompt	image, answer key
3-5	1279 words	5 terms	4	1 prompt	answer key
6-8	761 words	7 terms	6	2 prompts	primary source, answer key
9-12	651 words	7 terms	7	2 prompts	primary source, answer key
AP	646 words	9 terms	8	1 prompt	primary source, second source, long essay, answer key

Primary sources quoted

Acceptance Address at Democratic National Convention
John Kerry, July 29, 2004 · 6-8, 9-12, AP
Kerry, "Acceptance Address at Democratic National Convention" (Boston, July 29, 2004). Fair use under 17 USC §107 — educational excerpt of public political speech, ≤150 words.
Democratic National Convention Keynote Address
Barack Obama, July 27, 2004 · AP
Obama, "Democratic National Convention Keynote Address" (Boston, July 27, 2004). Fair use under 17 USC §107 — educational excerpt of public political speech, ≤150 words.

Quick quiz

Five questions on 2004

Every answer here is read off the 2004 returns — the same rows the packets below are built from.

Who won the 2004 presidential election?
- AJohn Kerry
- BBarack Obama
- CGeorge W. Bush
- DAl Gore
Which party did the winner of the 2004 election represent?
- ARepublican
- BDemocratic
- CLiberal Republican
- DProgressive
How many electoral votes did George W. Bush win in 2004?
- A271
- B270
- C286
- D251
Which of these states did George W. Bush carry in 2004?
- AHawaii
- BRhode Island
- CLouisiana
- DIllinois
Which era of American politics does the 2004 election belong to?
- ANew Deal Coalition
- BModern Polarization
- CEra of Good Feelings
- DSecond Party System

Not yet fact-checked. This packet was drafted with AI tools and has not been checked claim by claim. Please verify its facts before teaching from it. Tell us about an error.

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