2016 Presidential Debates

The 2016 Presidential debates begin tonight with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump taking center stage. These debates will most likely be the most viewed in American history. All debates begin at 9pm ET and can be viewed on most network news channels. I often tell my students to watch them on YouTube so they can pause and review the video when necessary. Here is a FREE debate viewing activity for your secondary students to complete by watching the debates.

2016 Presidential Debate Schedule:

•          Monday, September 26, 2016
First presidential debate
Moderator: Lester Holt, Anchor, NBC Nightly News
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

•          Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Vice presidential debate
Moderator: Elaine Quijano, Anchor, CBSN and Correspondent, CBS News
Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA

•          Sunday, October 9, 2016
Second presidential debate
Moderator: Martha Raddatz, Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and Co-Anchor of "This Week," ABC
Moderator: Anderson Cooper, Anchor, CNN
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

•          Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Third presidential debate
Moderator: Chris Wallace, Anchor, Fox News Sunday
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Click HERE for engaging election activities! 

Happy Teaching! 

Teaching About 911 in the Secondary Classroom

911 was the worst tragedy on American soil. It resulted in the largest loss of life in American history. Many of our students were too young to remember that tragic day but often have many questions, especially the reasons why we were attacked. Here are a few interesting facts about 911 you could share with your students:

1. On September 11, 2001 the terrorist group al-Qaeda organized a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks that killed 2, 996 peopled and injured over 6,000 others. It also caused $10 billion in property damage. 

2. Michael Jackson had a meeting at the World Trade Center on 911 but overslept.

3. Although Osama bin Laden initially denied his involvement in the attacks, in 2004 he claimed responsibility.

4. Family Guy's creator had ticket for a 9/11 plane but came 10 minutes late.

5. Two F16 pilots went on a suicide mission to stop Flight 93 on 9/11. In the end, the flight's passengers took the plane down.

6. 18 people were rescued alive from the rubble of the World Trade Center site.

7. Passengers aboard United Flight 93, heard about the previous airplane attacks and attempted to retake control of the plane from hijackers. As a result, the hijackers deliberately crashed the plane in a Pennsylvania field instead of at their unknown target.

 Last year I used this activity to teach my high school U.S. History students about 911.

As students first enter the room students will watch a slide show of pictures of 9/11 while a patriotic song plays in the background. They will then learn about the causes of 9/11 by reading and answering essential questions. To end, students will complete 17 questions related to the 9/11 Memorial interactive timeline. On the timeline they will watch videos and listen to audio accounts of the events of that tragic day. Students will reflect on what they learned by answering an essential question.

This is activity is something your students will never forget!

Happy Teaching!