Election... It's a Dirty Word and Classroom Topic

Yes, Angela Lee , this is a good chart to use when checking sources. I like it too.

I think media literacy, fact checking, lateral reading, Claims Testing... these are all necessary and timely. And these are legit situations to be putting all or our good learning into action!

Yes, Chris Scaturo , ALWAYS checking the source. Part of the Authority Claims Tester, no?

In addition to World History, I also teach English and Civics. I am on my last legs and it's only October. I hope that after the election I get a renewal of energy or I will not last it past semester this year!

I like showing sample ballots to my upperclassmen to show them just how many things are on the ballot. We talk about how to view the sample ballots, how to register to vote, and how they can research the issues using a variety of sources. 

When my ninth-graders ask who I am voting for, I tell them the best candidate. Which leads to them asking me which is the best. I turn the question on to them, asking who they think is the best candidate and why. It leads to a pretty good conversation. These are often short as I haven't made the election a part of my lessons. 

 Angela Lee this week, my school held a convocation with two speakers demonstrating how bipartisan cooperation and respectful dialogue across party lines is possible. The speakers were Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud (Republican) and State Representative Kevin D. Chambliss (Democrat).

One of Representative Chambliss’s recommendations was to watch and read news outlets from across the political spectrum.

I love that your school did this - I think we need to get back to civil civic dialogue, and it’s wonderful that your school is modeling that to students.  

I agree Angela Lee All these impactful initiatives were planned by the DEI committee with the intention to promote civic dialogue instead of confrontation. Another thing that they did was to open a space during lunch time once every two weeks, to talk about the election. In this case, only those who were really driven by these topics attended.

Yes! I have often though about how this chart has changed over the years. I wonder if there is an inquiry question in there for students that would make them interested in the biases within the media and why those biases change. The recent happenings at WaPo have captured our interest, I wonder if students care the same way we do. 

While I think political disclosure in the classroom has merit and shouldn’t be as taboo as it is, this year, I’ve decided to stick with the plan I made for World History and not steer off course. After teaching Civics for a decade, it feels almost rebellious to keep our focus on the Industrial Revolution this week.

Interestingly, my students haven’t brought up the election at all, which makes it easier for me to stay on track. So, here we are, navigating the winds of change while holding onto the steady ship of our curriculum. Here’s to us educators keeping our bearings amid the chaos!

(I have attached an interesting article arguing FOR Political Disclosure of teaching in social studies that I always found inspiring)

Though the election is now over, I appreciate you sharing the article!