Immediately moving the historic 2008 presidential election from the voting booth to the classroom, the AFT has launched a Web site for educators that provides information, materials and lesson plans to help students absorb the many teachable moments of this history-making campaign.
“So much about this campaign has been historic and electrifying,” says AFT president Randi Weingarten. “From the incredible voter interest to the fact that both the primary and general election campaigns featured two strong female candidates and, ultimately, to the election of our nation’s first African-American president, it is imperative that we move these events and lessons into classrooms across America as soon as possible.”
The Web site includes broad lesson plans that can be adapted for all students by using grade-appropriate resource materials such as biographies of civil rights leaders and a timeline of key events in America’s continuing effort to provide equal opportunity for all. In addition to providing information about historical events, the site helps explain the present-day dynamics that led to the Nov. 4 results. The site will be updated through the Jan. 20 Inauguration Day and beyond.
Tagged: AFT, election '08, teachable moments
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2 Comments:
1 Redrosa
· Nov 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I did not vote for Barack Obama.
Unlike many of the rank and file(robots). I believe in true liberty and individual responsiblity. It is a sad day when we just assume a candidate that speaks empty words and promises what he can not deliver is elected to the presidency. The best hope is that of charting your own destiny and realizing your dreams through hard work and perserverance. Since when is “welfare” the best way to reach our potential and realize our dreams? What values are we passing on to our children? Why have standards and benchmarks for our students, if in the end it’s about living for a handout! Where is the representation for your conservative teachers? I am disgusted that this Union continues to support democratic candidates to fit their political agenda!
2 Techmeister
· Nov 6, 2008 at 11:53 am
I also did not vote for Barack but I do not understand why the previous commentator chose to mask their racism as a cause. The use of words such as “welfare” and “handout” have never appeared in any speech I have heard from either candidate in the context it is used above. I once spent a year in Africa and I realized one thing. Some people are so poor they do not even have garbage. My point is this,you make assumptions about what is needed to chart your own destiny and speak of your disgust yet you do not offer anything but opinions. Without making it up to look good, when was the last time you worked in a soup kitchen, gave your clothes to someone who really needed them instead of collecting dust in your closet? Does the jewelry you wear come from a country that is engaged in blood feuds for land? I bet the answer is clear.
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