The title may be cliche, but I can think of nothing truer about homeschooling. You have to grab the opportunities (for learning) as they come. And man, they are coming fast and furious!
I am, of course, referring to our new President and everything that has occurred in this past year or two. I know I am about to step into a minefield, but I will try to stay as nonpolitical as I can. The good news is, the news cycle is brimming with opportunities for learning, especially in the area of American Government. All we have to do is pay a little attention.
If you should find yourself at a loss for topics to cover in American Government, here are just a few that spring to mind:
- What’s the difference between the popular vote and the electoral college vote? Or as my son so aptly put it , “Why do we have an electoral college anyway?”
- How do we keep secrets secret in government? Is a person who tells a secret a whistle-blower, or a traitor?
- How should people in government use the instantaneous media of today? Are concerns today different than in the past?
- What’s an executive order and how does it differ from a law? Why have Obama and Trump signed so many?
- When we talk about “equal protection” under the constitution, who is protected and who is not? Why?
- Why are there three branches of government, and is any one more important than another?
- What would your student look for in a Supreme Court Justice, if it was his or her choice to make?
- Who is “the press” today, and what is its role in our society? Is it doing its job well?
- What kinds of logical fallacies should we look for in news, social media, and governmental or political communications to avoid being fooled? Should we believe everything we hear?
I know there will be students out there who will greet these questions with a yawn. But at least you won’t run out of material. That is the beauty of living in interesting times.
Happy learning!
Andrea
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