The 13 diagnostic questions in the Keys election prediction model provide unique insight into this year’s presidential contest and offer important lessons for teaching students about elections.
The featured political cartoon from the era of yellow journalism can serve as an excellent jumping off point into a classroom lesson on misinformation and the link between news and public behavior.
Inviting students to examine upcoming Supreme Court cases that consider a citizen’s right to own private property can springboard into an engaging lesson on the Fifth Amendment and the rule of law.
What we teach and how we teach it can help students create a political climate in which difference is not demonized and trust and political friendship are the aims.
By fostering a commitment to respectful and evidence-based dialog, teachers can aid students in developing the necessary skills for supporting a diverse democracy.
Understanding the prevalence of affective polarization is essential for teachers to mitigate the increased animosity students are showing towards those from different political parties.
Providing students with thoughtful structure and norms for political discussions encourages them to productively disagree and to work towards understanding different viewpoints.
The featured lesson invites students to consider the impact of gerrymandering and what should be done about the practice of redrawing legislative districts to favor the incumbent party.
Understanding the role of special interests in political campaigns and their use of sensational messaging to play on fears, can help young people spot these efforts and reduce the effects of affective polarization.