- Login
- Home
- About the Initiative
-
Curricular Resources
- Topical Index of Curriculum Units
- View Topical Index of Curriculum Units
- Search Curricular Resources
- View Volumes of Curriculum Units from National Seminars
- Find Curriculum Units Written in Seminars Led by Yale Faculty
- Find Curriculum Units Written by Teachers in National Seminars
- Browse Curriculum Units Developed in Teachers Institutes
- On Common Ground
- Publications
- League of Institutes
- Video Programs
- Contact
Have a suggestion to improve this page?
To leave a general comment about our Web site, please click here
I think, therefore I do? Conscious and unconscious factors influencing our choice for President of the United States
byAudra BullThe election of the President of the United States is one of the most important decisions an American can make. The Founding Fathers created a deliberative democracy predicated upon the suppression of emotion in lieu of a thoughtful, reflective, and informed populace capable of utilizing reason when voting for President. Utilizing brain-based instruction, this unit addresses the theme of decision-making through the vehicle of the Presidential election. The students will read, discuss and participate in inquiry activities designed to heighten awareness as to how the brain is naturally structured to make decisions, the structure of the student's current decision-making process, and how the students can make better, thoughtful, more informed future decisions. The students will also explore the influences of their social network (i.e. friends, family, church) upon their decisions. Through their investigation the students will engage in an in-depth discussion of the explicit and implicit powers of a President as defined and implied in the United States Constitution. In addition the students will explore conscious and unconscious factors which impact the choice for President.
(Developed for Reading, grade 8; recommended for Reading, grades 6-8, American History, grades 6-12)