Lafayette County and Oxford school districts are taking advantage of the enthusiasm surrounding the Sept. 26 presidential debate at the University of Mississippi by using the opportunity to educate students on the presidency and electoral process through curriculum and hands-on activities.
“We are encouraging all (Lafayette County schools) to do something unique and different because it is a historic event that’s taking place here in our own town,” said Betty Duke, director of federal programs and student assessment with the Lafayette County School District.
Prominent Mississippi politicians are slated to speak to the Lafayette County students. Sen. Thad Cochran has already spoke to the Lafayette Middle School students about his role as congressman.
In the week leading up to the debate, Lafayette County middle and high school students will hear from Sen. Roger Wicker and the Circuit Court Clerk Mary Alice Busby the week before the debate.
Fourth graders at Lafayette Upper Elementary will take “A Walk Through the White House” during the week of the debate.
Rooms of the fourth grade hall will be decorated to represent a tour of the White House with each classroom having a political topic for the students to discuss. The students will be expected to find unique ways of presenting the information learned and will discuss what qualifies an individual for presidency, said Lafayette Upper Elementary Principal Thomas Tillman.
Each fifth grade class at Lafayette Upper Elementary will elect a class president, and the presidents will later debate in front of the entire grade.
Fifth graders will also show off their theatrical and artistic talents by presenting plays, singing patriotic songs and creating political artwork.
Third grade classes will focus on the election process, Tillman said. Third graders will learn about local elections as well as the presidential electoral process.
Like Lafayette County, Oxford School District has been busy implementing debate-related curriculum and activities from kindergarten through high school.
The week of the debate is full of activities for the students. On Sept. 24, Bramlett Elementary kindergarten will take part in a “Parade of Presidents” where they will walk down the sidewalk along Bramlett Boulevard dressed as presidents and first ladies. Students at Oxford Elementary, consisting of second and third graders, will be given an election glossary containing patriotic vocabulary.
Oxford Middle School students will view examples of presidential commercials dating from 1952 to present and then create a commercial of their own using Moviemaker. The students will draw political cartoons, as well.
Oxford High students will see the effects of the presidential debate in virtually every class starting Sept. 22; whether it is writing mock campaign drafts in drama class or discussing environmental domestic issues in science class, OHS students will look at politics through the lenses of all high school disciplines.
Local schools prep for upcoming debate
Published: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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