Series Description

C-SPAN's Ceasefire is a weekly series that takes a different approach to political conversation. No shouting matches, no viral takedowns – just two leaders committed to listening, finding common ground, and united by a shared commitment to the country’s future.

Shorter Activities

• Quick Classroom Use (Bell Ringer Analysis) (Google Doc)

• Quick Classroom Use (Communication Comparison Activity) (Google Doc)

• Quick Classroom Use (Tone Tracking Activity) (Google Doc)

• Quick Classroom Use (Questioning Techniques Analysis) (Google Doc)

Longer Activities

• Extended Classroom Use (Before Watching/During Watching/After Watching) (Google Doc)

• Communication Analysis Framework (Tone) (Google Doc)

• Communication Analysis Framework (Framing) (Google Doc)

• Communication Analysis Framework (Rhetorical Strategy) (Google Doc)

• Communication Analysis Framework (Questioning Techniques) (Google Doc)

• Communication Analysis Framework (Audience and Performance) (Google Doc)

Additional Supports

• How to Analyze Political Communication (Handout) (Google Doc)

• Teacher Guide and Tips (Toolkit) (Google Doc)

• Video Clip: Trust in 2026 Midterm Elections (14:23)

• Video Clip: 2026 Congressional Football Game (1:30)

• Video Clip: Bridging Divides in American Politics (1:56)

• Video Clip: Friendships in the Senate (5:46)

• Video Clip: Backlash When Working Across the Aisle (4:16)

• Video Clip: Bipartisanship over Immigration (3:38)

• Video Clip: Bridging Divides During the Holiday Season (6:50)

• Video Clip: Responding to Incidents of Political Violence (7:09)

• Video Clip: Legislative-Executive Relationship and Foreign Policy (3:57)

• Video Clip: Recent Evolution of Democratic and Republican Parties (7:48)

• Video Clip: Post-Trump Republican Party (3:06)

• Video Clip: America 250 Congressional Time Capsule (1:36)

• Bell Ringer: Tone, Humor, and the Performative Aspect of Politics (3:57)

• Bell Ringer: Problem Solvers Caucus (7:35)

• Bell Ringer: Working in the White House (6:31)

• Bell Ringer: Roles and Responsibilities of State Governors (2 Clips)

• Bell Ringer: Friendships in Congress (5:59)

• Bell Ringer: Influence of Money in Congress (4:04)

• Bell Ringer: Civility in Congress (5:57)

• Bell Ringer: Role of the Senate and Congressional Power (2 Clips)

• Bell Ringer: Representing Constituents Honestly (5:38)

• Bell Ringer: Role of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (5:52)

• Bell Ringer: DHS and ICE's Roles and Tactics (5:20)

• Bell Ringer: Role of Former Members of Congress (3:06)

• Bell Ringer: Bipartisanship as Capitulation (3:25)

• Bell Ringer: Changes in Presidential Cabinet and White House Senior Staff (8:01)

• Bell Ringer: Purpose of the President's Budget Request (2:53)

• Bell Ringer: Working in a White House Administration (4:23)

• Bell Ringer: Purpose of the the National Governors Association (3:19)

• Bell Ringer: Adjusting to Becoming a Governor (2:15)

• Bell Ringer: No Labels Political Organization (6:24)

• Bell Ringer: Reasons for Retiring from Congress (3:12)

• Bell Ringer: Decline of Respect in Congress (2:47)

• Bell Ringer: Veterans Serving in Congress (2 Clips)

• Bell Ringer: Political Incentives and the Role of Voters (3:12)

• Bell Ringer: Power to Declare and Execute War (6:05)

• Bell Ringer: Case Study in Legislative Bipartisanship - Infrastructure (4:23)

• Bell Ringer: Senators Encourage Civil Discourse (1:36)

• Bell Ringer: Marriages and Politics (3:51)

• Bell Ringer: Working on a Bill Across Party Lines (8:52)

• Bell Ringer: Differences Between Jefferson and Adams (1:49)

• Bell Ringer: Grievances with King George III and Parliament (2:15)

• Bell Ringer: Lessons from George Washington (3:57)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson and Adams on Political Parties (6:18)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson and Adams on Dueling (2:47)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson and Adams on the Future of America (7:16)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson on "All Men Are Created Equal" (2:02)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson and Adams on Amending the Constitution (3:38)

• Bell Ringer: Jefferson and Adams on Citizenship (3:12)

• Bell Ringer: Purpose of Congressional Campaign Committees (3:38)

• Bell Ringer: Congressional Recesses (1:36)

• Bell Ringer: Satirical Political Candidate Count Binface (2:08)

• Bell Ringer: Primetime Presidential Addresses (3:57)

• Bell Ringer: Death of a Vacuum and Bipartisan Comity (2:28)

• Bell Ringer: Bipartisanship After September 11, 2001 (5:59)

• Bell Ringer: Case Study in Legislative Bipartisanship - Housing (4:28)