Analyzing the Certification of the 26th Amendment

This activity is appropriate in a US History unit related to the 1970s, the Vietnam War era or a Civics unit on voting, suffrage or the amendment process. For grades 7-12. Approximate time needed is 20 minutes.

It can be done individually, in pairs, or as a full class. Direct students to begin by taking a minute to examine the document, then responding to the questions.

Students should answer the questions below the document, which will guide them through the process of written document analysis. If necessary, check in with your students at each step in the process and model analysis if required:

• Meet the document.
• Observe its parts.
• Try to make sense of it.
• Use it as historical evidence.

After students have answered all of the analysis questions, they should click on “When You’re Done” and answer the following:

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Why or why not?

For additional materials related to Analyzing the Certification of the 26th Amendment (including Guiding Questions, National Standards, Historical Background and Supplemental Educational Resources).