The Political Spectrum

Slideshow, handouts, and activities.

The slideshow and quiz introduce students to the concept of a Left/Right Political Spectrum (used to organize people based on their political beliefs).

Students view the slides and complete the "quiz" by recording their opinions on a variety of "hot-button" issues. This provides an excellent opportunity to have informal "mini-debates" about different political topics. The slides include "devil's advocate" questions for each issue, that the teacher can ask to promote discussion.

Students fill in the blanks on the worksheet to record key ideas about the left, the right, and the center of the Political Spectrum.

Students then write an informal paragraph that identifies their place on the Political Spectrum by explaining three opinions from the "quiz". Instructions and rubric included.

A final handout introduces and explains the idea of a Political Compass, by adding the concepts of Authoritarian and Libertarian.