Should 8th graders learn about the election ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing you don’t know what civics is if you don’t think they should cover election. Also, the teacher may not have heard what the classmate said to your kid. Or maybe it was a debate and the teacher was letting all sides present their case. Our maybe the teacher also believe youngkin will shut down pronouns being mandatorily enforced at the threat of being fired.

Or maybe the kid never said it
Or did and the teacher clarified they were misinformed and explained the situation

But no OP wants to jump to “kids who can vote in 4 years shouldn’t learn civics.”

OP didn't say that. OP's gripe is that the teacher did not correct something that another classmate said that OP thinks is incorrect.

OP, I think the lesson here, regardless of what actually happened or who said what, is to tell your kids that there is a lot of misinformation in the world. Sometimes purposeful, sometime not. Regardless, the best thing is to do your own research into political candidates and don't just assume that what someone says (anyone, even a person in authority like a teacher or a parent) is correct.

[Anonymous]

We discussed elections when I was in school. We did not discuss preferences or personalities. We discussed policies. And, from elementary onward, NO teacher of mine ever expressed a preference.

Later, I was a teacher of very young children. During presidential years we discussed it on their level--voting, etc. We talked about who the candidates were--but did not discuss what they stood for. I also told them that votes were a secret and we voted in class--but votes were always secret. I never said who I was supporting.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Opposing opinions creates educational opportunities and discussion opportunities, OP! Take the ball and run. Do some research with your kid to find out if what was stated was true or not. Talk about credible media and biased media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should Civics be allowed to teach about the Governor election?
I’m okay with it, but I’m not okay when my DD thinks “if Younkin wins kids will not be allowed to be called by their pronouns at school”
Youngkin is fine with pronouns so why is the teacher not saying anything when a student said that ?

No, he's not ok with non-binary pronouns and has said as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opposing opinions creates educational opportunities and discussion opportunities, OP! Take the ball and run. Do some research with your kid to find out if what was stated was true or not. Talk about credible media and biased media.

Agree, my 6th grader has asked many questions about the opposing political party because she wants to be able to "decide for themselves" -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Civics be allowed to teach about the Governor election?
I’m okay with it, but I’m not okay when my DD thinks “if Younkin wins kids will not be allowed to be called by their pronouns at school”
Youngkin is fine with pronouns so why is the teacher not saying anything when a student said that ?

No, he's not ok with non-binary pronouns and has said as much.

Or, if this is too much for OP, "You can't be sure what any candidate will do in office, but if Youngkin wins, it will be because of people who are deeply committed to a gender binary, among other positions. So if LGBTQ+ rights are important to someone, that person is much more likely to vote for Terry McAuliffe"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opposing opinions creates educational opportunities and discussion opportunities, OP! Take the ball and run. Do some research with your kid to find out if what was stated was true or not. Talk about credible media and biased media.

+1

A great opportunity to role model being an engaged citizen who uses critical thinking skills.

[Anonymous]

1. Schools don't teach a lot of things kids should know.

2. It's your job to teach your kids all the things you want them to know that the school doesn't.

3. Teachers CANNOT respond to all the myriad conversations and comments that kids have with each other, when he or she already has Covid-related academic delays to address and the year's curriculum to teach!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Civics be allowed to teach about the Governor election?
I’m okay with it, but I’m not okay when my DD thinks “if Younkin wins kids will not be allowed to be called by their pronouns at school”
Youngkin is fine with pronouns so why is the teacher not saying anything when a student said that ?

No, he's not ok with non-binary pronouns and has said as much.

I'm really skeptical of that (can you please provide a quote from Youngkin saying as such?), but on the outside chance this is true, I think that's just another reason I will vote for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Civics be allowed to teach about the Governor election?
I’m okay with it, but I’m not okay when my DD thinks “if Younkin wins kids will not be allowed to be called by their pronouns at school”
Youngkin is fine with pronouns so why is the teacher not saying anything when a student said that ?

No, he's not ok with non-binary pronouns and has said as much.

Or, if this is too much for OP, "You can't be sure what any candidate will do in office, but if Youngkin wins, it will be because of people who are deeply committed to a gender binary, among other positions. So if LGBTQ+ rights are important to someone, that person is much more likely to vote for Terry McAuliffe"

"Deeply committed to a gender binary?" What the hell does that mean, especially to an 8th grader?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Sounds like something a classmate said.

It was but why didn’t the teacher say anything?

Why do you think a teacher should? Teacher’s job is to facilitate discussion not be a fact checker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course they should discuss the election in school. This is one of the few times that “both sides” or even “all sides” shoulder be discussed equitably.
The second part of your comment: the expectation that the teacher know the positions and opinions of each candidate well enough to jump into each conversation between students to provide some sort of definitive commentary is not a reasonable ask. Perhaps each student could take on the task to research what Youngkin and other candidates have said on record about the issue and present it to the class as part of discussions on election related issues that are important to the students.

+1 Not only is is unreasonable but I would prefer that the teacher NOT step in and teach only his or her perspective. That is a parent's role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
"Deeply committed to a gender binary?" What the hell does that mean, especially to an 8th grader?

Do you genuinely not know, or did you just feel like doing a little performative outrage?

I think you would be surprised how comfortable kids are with inclusive language, even if their parents are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Civics be allowed to teach about the Governor election?
I’m okay with it, but I’m not okay when my DD thinks “if Younkin wins kids will not be allowed to be called by their pronouns at school”
Youngkin is fine with pronouns so why is the teacher not saying anything when a student said that ?

No, he's not ok with non-binary pronouns and has said as much.

I'm really skeptical of that (can you please provide a quote from Youngkin saying as such?), but on the outside chance this is true, I think that's just another reason I will vote for him.

Youngkin is opposed to marriage equality (finally admitted in last week after doffing the question for months) and is endorsed by the Family Research Council. You really think he supports trans, gay and/or non-binary rights? Please do some basic research and understand what is at stake for the LGBTQ community in Virginia this year.

https://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-records-candidates-virginia-governor

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2021/10/09/anti-lgbtq-group-endorses-glenn-youngkin/