Rationale
Eighth graders are such amazing creatures. On the one hand, their bodies are really beginning to assume their adult–like form yet their brains (and thus their decisions) are far from being fully formed. When I allow myself to contemplate the fact that in four short years these "works in progress" will have the same power to vote that I possess, I become scared out of my wits because their decision–making ability seems woefully inadequate to contemplate something as important as voting for the next leader of the free world. Could I help them become more aware of their choices/decisions and the subsequent ramifications? Voting for President of the United States is a weighty responsibility. For 236 years, Americans have fought for the right to get to "choose" who is charged with executing the laws of our country. Yet, many in our country are concerned that the nation's students are not prepared or inclined to make this weighty decision. Tony Wagner, co–director of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education says, "What I have seen in some of our best public schools over the past decade is that while Johnny and Juan and Leticia are learning how to read, at least at a basic level, they are not learning how to think or care about what they read; nor are they learning to clearly communicate ideas orally and in writing." 7 Would it not be in all of our best interests to help these future citizens learn how to think and reason and understand the factors that influence how they make decisions and how they can make better decisions?
Comments: