Classroom

Resources for Educators

The University of Virginia Center for Politics launched the national Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) as its signature program in 1998 to encourage greater interest and participation in American democracy. YLI is a national citizenship education and engagement program designed to involve students in the American electoral and policymaking processes.

In order to help teachers bring the Crystal Ball to students, YLI has created several lessons plans that use the Crystal Ball in the classroom. Lessons include:

• The Congressional Balance of Power – What’s at Stake in the 2008 Election?
  Your students should be paying attention to the Congressional races. Why? Because their results may affect public policy for the next session. Get your students to understand the implications of the Congressional elections by using this interactive lesson.
• Meet the Candidates
  Get beyond mere sound bites and learn about the men running for our nation’s highest political office.
• The Battle for the Swing States
  Is your state in play? What does that mean? How does it affect voters and policy? Learn about 08’s swing states with this dynamic lesson plan from YLI.

You know, for kids

The Crystal Ball was created just as much for students as for political junkies and reporters. As part of the Center's mission, the Crystal Ball seeks to foster youth civic engagement by empowering students to find their own answers and make their own decisions with the many tools on the CB, including:

• Sabato's Electoral Road Map
  Securing a majority in the Electoral College wins you the keys to the White House. How might the states stack up on Election Day and why?
• House Crystal Ball HotRace™ Readings
  What are the hottest House races for this fall and how are they leaning?
• Presidential Election History
  History usually repeats itself and politicians may not always learn from the mistakes of the past, but the Crystal Ball won't let anyone forget it.