New Classroom Resources Capture 2008 Election’s Teachable Moments
American Federation of Teachers’ Web Site Offers Lessons on History-Making Campaign

WASHINGTON—Immediately moving the historic 2008 presidential election from the voting booth to the classroom, the American Federation of Teachers today launched a Web site for educators that provides information, materials and lesson plans to help students absorb the many teachable moments of this history-making campaign.
 
“So much about this campaign has been historic and electrifying,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “From the incredible voter interest to the fact that both the primary and general election campaigns featured two strong female candidates and, ultimately, to the election of our nation’s first African-American president, it is imperative that we move these events and lessons into classrooms across America as soon as possible.”
 
The Web site, www.aft.org/tools4teachers/AmericaElects, includes broad lesson plans that can be adapted for all students by using grade-appropriate resource materials such as biographies of civil rights leaders and a timeline of key events in America’s continuing effort to provide equal opportunity for all. In addition to providing information about historical events, the site helps explain the present-day dynamics that led to the Nov. 4 results. The site will be updated through the Jan. 20 Inauguration Day and beyond.

# # # #