Lesson plan; Decoding Trump’s 2024 Playbook: Analyzing Strategies, Challenges, and Implications

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and analyze the key strategies and challenges of former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
• Compare and contrast Trump’s campaign with other Republican and Democratic candidates.
• Evaluate the impact of Trump’s legal troubles on his political future and American democracy.

Lesson Introduction:

1. Icebreaker: Engage students in a brief discussion about Donald Trump’s presidency, his 2020 election loss, and the ongoing political landscape.

2. Introduction to the Lesson: Listen to the Podcast Episode: “Trump’s 2024 Playbook” from The Daily

Main Content and Activities:

1. Podcast Listening and Note-taking: Play the podcast episode, encouraging students to listen attentively and take notes on key points and examples.

2. Article Reading and Comprehension Questions: In groups of 2 answer the comprehension questions below.

3. Group Discussions and Debate: Facilitate lively discussions within the groups, encouraging students to share their insights, compare Trump’s campaign to other contenders, and analyze the implications of his legal challenges.

Closure:

1. Summary and Connections: Summarize the key takeaways from the podcast, and discussions, emphasizing their relevance to the learning objectives and subject matter.

2. Student Reflection: Facilitate a reflection session, encouraging students to share their thoughts, learnings, and any suggestions for improvement.

Homework or Follow-up Activities:

1. Research and Report Writing: Assign students to research and write a short report on one of the following topics:

• The role of Trump’s loyal supporters and media allies in his campaign and the Republican Party.
• The legal cases and investigations facing Trump, their potential outcomes, and consequences.
• Potential Democratic candidates and strategies to counter Trump’s campaign in 2024.
• The challenges and opportunities for American democracy in the context of Trump’s 2024 aspirations.

Comprehension questions

1. What are some of the key strategies that former President Donald Trump is likely to employ in his potential 2024 presidential campaign?

2. How does Trump’s appeal to his core supporters, who remain deeply devoted to his populist rhetoric and policies, inform his potential campaign strategy?

3. What legal challenges and financial burdens does Trump face that could potentially hinder his campaign efforts?

4. How might Trump’s candidacy further polarize the Republican Party and impact its future direction?

5. What challenges do Democrats face in countering Trump’s campaign and mobilizing their base of support in the event of a 2024 presidential race?

6. What are the potential consequences of Trump’s ongoing influence on American politics and the 2024 election?

7. How do the political analysts, journalists, and Trump allies interviewed in the podcast assess his chances of success in a 2024 presidential bid?

8. What factors are likely to shape the political landscape in the lead-up to the 2024 election and the potential for Trump’s candidacy to play a significant role?

9. What are the implications of Trump’s continued political presence for the integrity of American democracy and the functioning of the political system?

10. What role can informed citizens play in shaping the political discourse and influencing the outcome of the 2024 election and beyond?

Educational standards that are covered in this lesson plan:

• Comprehension and analysis of political news sources: The lesson plan requires students to read and analyze an article and podcast episode about Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. This aligns with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Social Studies, which require students to be able to analyze a variety of sources to understand complex issues.

• Critical thinking skills: The lesson plan encourages students to think critically about the information they are presented with. Students are asked to compare and contrast Trump’s campaign with other candidates, and to evaluate the impact of his legal troubles on his political future. This aligns with CCSS for Social Studies, which requires students to be able to identify and analyze multiple perspectives on an issue.

• Communication skills: The lesson plan requires students to communicate their ideas effectively to their peers in both small groups and a whole-class debate. This aligns with CCSS for Social Studies, which requires students to be able to “speak clearly and persuasively about issues.”

• Collaboration skills: The lesson plan encourages students to collaborate with their peers to complete tasks such as reading and analyzing the article, and participating in group discussions and debates. This aligns with CCSS for Social Studies, which requires students to “work effectively and cooperatively with others” to achieve common goals.