Finding teachable moments in this crazy election year
By SHERRY POSNICK- GOODWIN
Photos by SCOTT BUSCHMAN
T
he first-ever female nominee of a major political party. Talk of building a wall
and mass deportations of immigrants. Name-calling and bullying that would
be banned in any schoolyard. Presidential hopefuls threatening to abandon
their political parties — and vice versa.
Indeed, there have been many astonishing moments in the strangest, most
unpredictable and nastiest presidential election in U.S. history.
The never-boring campaign has provided educators with many teachable moments
on how government works and how the past influences the present. Teaching in
an election year not only makes social studies classes ultra-relevant, but provides
educators with unique opportunities to create exciting new lessons.
Politics in the Classroom
22 cta.org
Students William Dixon and
Katrina Moniz get ready
to spar as presidential
candidates in social studies
class at Kennedy High School.
F E A T U R E
