homework: Watching Debate

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I dont think the debate has any commericals in it.

I didn't know that. So it is even easier. Just DVR and watch in the AM, or split it up between tonight and tomorrow.

 

[aprilgail2]

Why? I understand not wanting her to stay up late but I don't understand the "I have NO desire to have that on a TV in my house." I get that you may not be into politics but this is a current event. Don't you feel kids should learn about this type of thing? One assumes these assignments are being handed out in government/history type classes. I would find it disconcerting if my late middle school child or HS age child had a class in one of these subjects and the teacher didn't tell them to watch it.

Since we can not discuss politics on here I will just say that I have such strong feelings against one of the people running that I will not have the tv on any channel that they are on.

 

[kwelch10377]

Since we can not discuss politics on here I will just say that I have such strong feelings against one of the people running that I will not have the tv on any channel that they are on.

I could see not having the TV on if it was just that person speaking. I cannot stand one of the candiates, but I will be watching to see how the other candiate stands up for themelves and their views against this person. I would think it would be a great opportunity for kids to see how to stand up for how they feel about the issues that are important to them.

 

[Promomx2]

My ds had to watch the debates for the last presidential election for his 8th grade. He also had two pages of questions to answer during the debate. Most of the questions myself and my dh found difficult, especially to a kid. He didn't understand most of what the candidates were talking about.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Since we can not discuss politics on here I will just say that I have such strong feelings against one of the people running that I will not have the tv on any channel that they are on.

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies even closer...it's best to know what those you dislike are saying, even more so than those that you like.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I am taking an Intro to teaching class and I am observing a 8th grade civics class and this was their extra credit assignment. BUT they are allowed to record it and watch it later.

 

[ICF]

Trying to watch, but all I keep hearing is....

blah, blah, blah

At the end of the day, I don't know that these things really change anyone's mind. If you like Obama then you'll think he does great. If you like Romney, you'll think he does great.

blah, blah, blah....

 

[carrie1626]

It should have been an extra credit assignment!!!

It's on in my house and I'm bored

 

[DarthKTrava]

Trying to watch, but all I keep hearing is....

blah, blah, blah

At the end of the day, I don't know that these things really change anyone's mind. If you like Obama then you'll think he does great. If you like Romney, you'll think he does great.

blah, blah, blah....

It just seemed they're circling the same issue over and over again...

 

[mdsoccermom]

I think it's an excellent assignment; it's never too early to get kids involved in the political process. It floors me that parents have 101 excuses why their kids can't stay up watching. One night of a 12 year old staying up later is not going to hurt a kid. Whether or not a parent likes the candidates is irrelevant.

This is part of the problem with society. Kids are being too coddled and sheltered. I never thought I see the day where watching a presidential debate was a problem.

 

[disney1990]

My 12 year old granddaughter is frequently up until 11:00 doing homework. If my child were assigned to watch the debates for a class, I would not enforce a bedtime. Elections only come along every 4 years.

 

[MariDisney]

My 8th grade daughter was assigned to watch the debate, list three questions and both candidates' answers. So far, she's pretty interested. I think it's a good assignment. She had dance until 9:00 and needed to shower. So, we DVRed it and got a late start. It's going to be a later night than usual for her, but that's OK with me in this instance.

 

[disney1990]

Deleted

 

[joviroxx]

My DS wasn't assigned this as homework but I am forcing him to watch. He's not very happy about it, probably not really listening but I want to make sure he realizes that this is important and its a responsibility we have as citizens.

I know he's not really listening ... Im hoping one day it will click!

 

[LilyWDW]

Honestly, I do think it is an important thing for the kids to watch. However, I would want the teachers to also make sure the students know that there ARE other candidates out there as well. I think a better assignment would be to pick X number of candidates and research them. How are they the same? How do they differ? What are their main platforms? Those sorts of things...

 

[LisaR]

Please tell me Jim Lehrer won't be the moderator for the next two debates. I used to really like him but he is like a bad parent that doesn't have any control over his small children.

 

[joviroxx]

Please tell me Jim Lehrer won't be the moderator for the next two debates. I used to really like him but he is like a bad parent that doesn't have any control over his small children.

He lost control after the first 5 minutes.

 

[Jennasis]

Please tell me Jim Lehrer won't be the moderator for the next two debates. I used to really like him but he is like a bad parent that doesn't have any control over his small children.

FTW.


Maybe Judge Judy is available for the next one?

 

[Becky2005]

Honestly, I do think it is an important thing for the kids to watch. However, I would want the teachers to also make sure the students know that there ARE other candidates out there as well. I think a better assignment would be to pick X number of candidates and research them. How are they the same? How do they differ? What are their main platforms? Those sorts of things...

That's a great idea! I know the first time I voted when I was 18 -- I was actually AMAZED at how many candidates there were to choose from. I don't think I realized at that point that there actually WERE more candidates on the ballot besides just Democratic & Republican. I had heard of other parties but somehow the connection that you could actually vote for something other than those 2 didn't really click until I did my first voting and saw the actual ballot.

 

[cornflake]

Honestly, I do think it is an important thing for the kids to watch. However, I would want the teachers to also make sure the students know that there ARE other candidates out there as well. I think a better assignment would be to pick X number of candidates and research them. How are they the same? How do they differ? What are their main platforms? Those sorts of things...

When I was in third grade (during a presidential election year), we had a mock election with three or four candidates (the main party ones and extra from main third).

Kids were picked to be 'campaign managers' for each of the candidates (picked the candidates from a hat) and had to research their positions, get campaign stuff from a HQ, and we held a debate in class during which each campaign manager stood in for the candidate and the other kids asked questions.

I still remember that (I was a campaign manager, heh) and think it was an awesome way to incorporate current events.

Assigning debate watching with a paper seems an obvious, good, basic assignment for nearly any schoolkid.

It's part of government, American history, civics, etc.