The first Presidential debate kicks off tonight, offering viewers a chance to watch the candidates discuss important issues face-to-face. Will education policy be one of them? We’ll have to tune in to find out. Either way, teachers should encourage their students to follow the debates, as they are a good way to engage them in civic study and help them grow into educated, informed citizens.
For teachers looking to incorporate the debate into their classrooms, there are a number of resources out there to help do so:
- The New York Times offers articles, videos, and interactive features specifically designed to turn the occasion into a fun, informative lesson;
- Our White House has a "Presidential Campaign and Election Kit" with many ideas for classroom activities;
- Lynn University offers a K–12 Presidential Debate curriculum (and Boca Raton, FL, residents can visit the Lynn Library's new “The Front Row Seat to Presidential History” exhibit);
- Education World provides tips for hosting debates of your own; and
- TeacherVision offers guidelines for holding a mock election, among other election-themed resources.
Teachers should also let their gifted students know about McGraw-Hill Education’s “Enter the Debate” contest, in which students are encouraged to write 250-word (or less) essays that teachers can then submit for a chance to win $10,000 in classroom grants. And of course, now is the perfect time to use Prufrock’s Electing the President for students in grades 4–8. You can purchase it from our website here.