Is This the Best Way to Pick a President?

Forward

The 2020 Presidential Primary season is well underway with Iowa and New Hampshire already having held their caucus and primary, respectively. While President Trump is running largely unchallenged on the Republican side, eight Democrats continue to battle it out for their party's nomination. There are still crucial contests to come in South Carolina, Nevada, and the fifteen states and jurisdictions holding primaries or caucuses on "Super Tuesday" on March 3rd.

Are you and your students following these races and the issues being debated? What is the difference between a primary and a caucus? What are the origins of partisan politics in the United States? We put together a lesson to help you to begin exploring these and other questions.

BRI Lessons & Resources

Why Does America Hold So Many Elections?
America holds more elections than any other democracy. The reason is federalism. Because of decentralization, there are more offices for the electorate to fill and thus more elections. Explore the topic with these readings and student activities.

Should the Government Regulate Campaign Contributions?
Dealing with free speech in the political arena, this lesson asks students to asses whether or not the Supreme Court ruled correctly in Citizens United v. F.E.C (2010) in light of constitutional principles including republican government, freedom of speech, and property rights.

Women in the Political World Today
As we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment this year, these lessons and activities examine the issues of concern to women today and evaluate trends in reform movements toward equality in the twentieth century.

BRI News and Other Opportunities

Think the Vote Debate: Did Your Students Agree With the Impeachment Outcome?
You and your students can win gift cards and swag by participating in our latest debate prompt on Think the Vote. The latest question: Do you agree with the outcome of the impeachment proceedings of President Trump?

We the Students Essay Contest is Still Accepting Submissions
The deadline is less than two months away for this year's We the Students essay contest. We are asking students to respond to the question: What does civil discourse mean to you? The contest deadline is April 15, 2020, and we will be awarding a total of $19,000 in scholarship funds to 14 students.

Congratulations to Our Black History Month Winners!
We'd like to extend a big BRI thank you and congratulations to Claudine James of Malvern Middle School in Malvern, Arkansas, who shared her Black History Month lessons with us via Twitter and to Gregory Dykhouse of Black River Public School in Holland, Michigan, who shared his via Facebook, both using the #BlackHistoryBRI hashtag. Both Claudine and Gregory will receive a gift card and swag for themselves and their students.

Census Burea's Statistics in Schools Week is March 2-6
We are proud to partner with the U.S. Census Bureau's Statistics in Schools program this year. Using new Statistics in Schools (SIS) resources in your classroom during the 2019-2020 school year will support efforts to make sure EVERY child is counted in the 2020 Census. This count impacts the federal funds that communities receive for special education, classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school lunch assistance, and more.

Library of Congress Opens Applications for Teacher-in-Residence
The Library of Congress is seeking applications from current teachers of journalism or economics for a Teacher-in-Residence position within its Learning and Innovation Office during the 2020-21 school year. The program description and application details for the position can be found on their website. Applications are due on Friday, March 27, 2020.

Long before there were Democrats and Republicans, there were "Federalists" and "Anti-Federalists." This Homework Help video explores the rise of political partisanship in the early American republic.

Educator Spotlight

Meet Beth Feest!

Beth Feest's first experience with BRI was as an attendee of the 2013 Summer Institute. In her words, "it was a life-changing experience," and it made her a huge fan of anything produced by BRI since then. She appreciates the staff's enthusiasm and knowledge and says that the quality of the resources produced is "top-notch."

Beth teaches U.S. History, AP U.S. History, AP European History, and Financial Literacy at Christian Life School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and is currently a member of BRI’s Teacher Council...Read More.

BoE: Bottom of Email

Dear John,

My son has just learned to read in kindergarten and I am so excited about the learning that lies ahead for him! I am overjoyed that he has now been set on a path of self-discovery and growth.

The ability to read is one of the great pleasures of being human. It allows us to flourish. So today, I simply hope that you are taking the students and children entrusted to you and helping them along on the same path my son now has before him: the one in which he can learn– truly learn–and flourish...even if it's a long time until he can unpack the Federalist Papers ;-)

All my best,

Laura Vlk
Senior Manager, Teacher Services

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