LESSON PLAN Exploring Differing Political Perspectives: Using Photographs

Intended Audience: Upper Elementary (3 rd-5 th) Overview: Every four years, teachers are poised to conduct examples of classroom mock-elections that symbolize the US presidential election process and explore democracy. Accordingly, " classroom teachers integrate lessons into their curriculum that help students understand their privileges, responsibilities, and rights as good citizens " 1 through seemingly pleasant discussions, writing assignments and other cooperative strategies. Yet, the most recent classroom election-related climate was decidedly different, and oft times contentious. The 2016 political season of presidential candidacies showcased a myriad of emotions, sentiments and, subsequently, actions – from those of resistance to racism, misogyny and bullying to those of intolerance and violence. Per the nearly 10,000 educators who responded to Teaching for Tolerance election surveys (one during and one after the election), " the campaign and its results: elicited fear and anxiety among children of color, immigrants and Muslims; emboldened students to mimic the words and tones of candidates and pundits; and disrupted opportunities to teach effectively about political campaigns and civic engagement. " 2 Scope and Sequence: The lesson uses photographs to explore and interpret the differing sentiments and perspectives conveyed (e.g., through political signs, t-shirts, etc.) during the 2016 presidential election. Students will examine a series of photos that capture the 2016 political context. With this context in mind, students will engage in activities that ask them to interpret the images with the intent of identifying the point of view of those in the photographs and their differing realities. The lesson is to be used as a precursor for lessons that ask students to think about nonviolent movements, as well as ways in which differing perspectives can be held, shared and respected within our schools and society without name-calling and/or violence. National Standards for History: 3 Topic 3, K-4: Standard 4B: Demonstrate understanding of ordinary people who have exemplified values and principles of American democracy.