As we began the unit on the Legislative Branch, “Mark” asked why California ranks in the bottom of receiving federal funding when we are the most populated state and the 5th LARGEST economy in the world. “Julie” blurted out the Great Compromise, of course. I said “Julie is right, remember class, unlike today, politics was the art of … Read more
One of my favorite units to teach at Santa Clara High School is Elections and Campaigns. I start the lesson by showing the students the famous quote “Money is the mother’s milk of politics,” by former California Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh. I ask my students if they agree. Overwhelmingly, the students said yes. “Matthew” looked at the past … Read more
On my first day of teaching the Legislative Branch, we discussed the demographics of the current 115th Congress. Here are the frightening stats: The average age of a House member is 59 and of a Senator is 63 years old. Yes, this is one of the OLDEST Congressional terms in our republic’s history. Less than … Read more
Every year I think about how to teach redistricting and gerrymandering to my seniors at Santa Clara High School. It can be boring and seem academic, but this year was different. “Judith” asked why politicians pick the voters instead of the other way around. “Madison” answered with one word: Gerrymandering. As their teacher, I rolled … Read more
“How did Trump win deeply blue states like Michigan and Wisconsin,” was the first question out of “Molly’s” mouth as we started class with a discussion on voting rights. “Lance” blurted out that it’s because of bogus Voter ID laws. As their teacher, I was floored! First, how did Lance know what Voter ID laws … Read more
Another divisive Trump tweet was the backdrop of the question asked by my student “John” as we began our unit on presidency. His questions were simple ones: How does one candidate get more popular votes but lose the presidency? Is the presidency the only election in the United States where that happens? I said sadly … Read more
One of my favorite units to teach in Civics is political participation. I begin the unit by asking students this question: Does one vote matter in the United States? Overwhelmingly students say “No.” I vividly remember one student, “Sue,” raising her hand and confidently saying in a county of 323 million people one vote does … Read more
During my Economics class discussion on circular flow, the diagram of money moving in and out of the U.S. economy, one student we’ll call Jack asked two keen questions: Why do minimum wage workers at Westfield Valley Fair make different wages? In addition, does raising the minimum wage help the economy? Teachers love that kind … Read more
Last semester, most of my 7:30 a.m. Senior Economics class would respond to my booming “Good morning!” with a sleepy echo of the greeting. One student (we will call her Jenny) was different. She always belted the words back to me, teeing up her enthusiasm for the rest of the period. However, not on June … Read more