The Social Studies classroom needs to have current events to keep things fresh. History teachers can use current events to make their content relevant to their students' lives. Civics and Government teachers can use current events to illustrate what they are teaching. Current events can also be used to make Geography, Environmental Science, Law, and Psychology more interesting and more real to students in the classroom. That's the purpose of this blog -- to help teachers and students make sense of what is happening in the world and see how the social sciences are alive today.
Look for our first discussion to be published soon!
George Cassutto
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/
Friday, January 29, 2010
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Teachers of history, civics, and government may choose to play and discuss President Obama's State of the Union Address given this week to a joint session of Congress and to the nation. The State of the Union address can be used to illustrate the following concepts:
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The role of the Executive Branch in government. The role of the Executive is to carry out the laws passed by Congress, but the Executive Branch can also suggest the direction Congress should go in creating those laws.
The Legislative Process (how a bill becomes a law). We are seeing this topic unfold in the debate over health care reform. The president asked the Republican Party to end its legislative obstructionism even though the Senate can now bottle up any legislation by way of the filibuster. The election of Republican Scott Brown from Massachusetts can now prevent any successful cloture vote on the part of the Democrats as he holds the 41st Republican vote needed to block such a legislative action.
The two-party system and their ideological differences can be shown by airing the speech as well as the Republican response, given this year by newly elected Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. Students should be asked to apply each party's idological platform to the proposals seen in each speech to understand the basis of contemporary American political culture.
Teachers can play the speech using C-Span or on video tape if they were proactive enough to tape it. Students should be asked to take notes and respond in debate or written format to show they understand the content and importance of the State of the Union Address.
Until next time,
George Cassutto
Teacher, Author, Webmaster
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com
COME ON AND SLAM
ReplyDeleteAND WELCOME TO THE JAM