Why Teach the Presidential Election in Your Homeschool Co-op

Teaching the presidential election in your homeschool co-op is a fabulous idea. Maybe your co-op is an informal gathering of a few families. Or maybe it is big and organized. No matter your co-op’s shape or size, this article covers why your co-op should study the presidential election…and how to do it with civility and grace!

There are so many reasons to teach the presidential election in your homeschool co-op. This article covers our top four. All reasons point back to our north star here at Silverdale Press: helping you raise great citizens.

Teaching the presidential election in your homeschool co-op will allow you to…

Seize a Unique Learning Opportunity

The presidential election presents a unique learning opportunity for students. Presidential elections happen only once every four years. But when they do happen, they stir loads of interest and excitement. There is drama. There is intrigue. There are high stakes. A homeschool co-op class on the election will capture the interest and excitement that is already in the air.

Most students will not have the chance to take a course on the presidential election after they graduate. Do not let this opportunity to educate and inspire future voters pass you by.  

Enhance Civics Education

Another reason to teach the presidential election in your homeschool co-op is to enhance civics education. If civics does not make your heart sing, try approaching it from the election angle. Teaching the presidential election is a great way to make civics come alive.

Presidential elections cover a wide range of civics-related topics. You can learn about the Constitution and U.S. laws. You can learn about the election process, including how the primaries and Electoral College work. You can learn about political parties, what they believe and how they choose their candidates. You can learn about issues that are important to voters and what policies the winner may set into motion. You can learn about media coverage of the election, including candidates’ use of social media. You can learn about campaign advertisements and how they are put together. You can learn about how citizens vote and what happens on Election Day. You can even take your co-op class all the way through the presidential transition and Inauguration Day.

Build Community

There are many reasons homeschool families join co-ops. Sure, there are academic reasons. Students need courses and subjects; parents need help offering those courses and subjects. Social reasons are just as important. Children need friends and companionship, and for homeschoolers relationships are often formed in co-op classes.

It is helpful for middle and high school students to have a safe forum where they can process what they are seeing and hearing about the election. Sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas builds community.

And don’t forget about the fun. From screening debates to volunteering to watching the returns come in on election night, there are many things that are better when done together. This also builds community.

Discuss and Debate

The presidential election is a great chance to sharpen critical thinking and debate skills. The election is all about competing candidates, worldviews, parties, and policies. It naturally presents issues for debate and discussion. You can’t discuss and debate by yourself. You need other people. A homeschool co-op provides those other people. Discussion and debate are so important for student learning!   

How Your Co-op Can Study the Presidential Election…with Civility and Grace

Will there be people who don’t want to study the presidential election in your homeschool co-op? Perhaps. For some, politics is repulsive. Others may worry about offending others or being offended. Some may not like the conflict that comes with the quest for power.

We, however, believe that the presidential election should be part of a well-rounded civics education. Here are three steps you can take to overcome those fears and ensure a happy and peaceful environment for learning about the election.

Set ground rules

The classroom should be a zone of political civility. People will disagree, and that should be expected. Set ground rules for civil discourse. Raise hands. Don’t talk over people. Don’t raise voices or shout. Acknowledge another’s point of view. Don’t call people names or attack them personally.

Teachers stay neutral

Of course, teachers will come with their own beliefs and opinions. Even so, it is important that they try to stay neutral in their roles as moderators and facilitators. The goal is for students to reason through and share their own beliefs and opinions about the election. As authority figures, teachers can intimidate students who may not share their views.

Look for common ground

Some say that what unites us as a nation is greater than anything that divides us. Seek out shared values. Brainstorm bipartisan solutions to the major issues of the day. Focus on the greater good.

Remember that people can be civil and stay true to their own beliefs and values at the same time. You can teach the presidential election in your homeschool co-op and maintain an atmosphere of civility and grace!

Do you need a resource for teaching the presidential election in your homeschool co-op? Look no further than our Presidential Election Unit Study. Full of information, video resources, activities, and questions for debate and discussion, it is perfect for homeschool co-ops. It even comes with an answer key. It is guaranteed to make teaching the election in your homeschool co-op a breeze.