This fall, lower and middle school students broadened their perspectives on the responsibilities of citizens in government by engaging in lessons centered around civics, politics, and U.S. history. While the lessons are a core part of the curriculum each year, in many grades, the 2024 presidential election provided an opportunity for more nuanced study and discussion.

In October, Grade 1 students explored their rights and responsibilities in the different communities they belong. After listening to speeches from Student Council candidates at the beginning of the month, the class reflected on what they heard, what was important to them, and who they would vote for.

A later meeting with Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons provided an opportunity to learn about civics and local government. Students prepared questions for the mayor and eagerly shared their opinions on their favorite parts of their community.

“As we get closer to a Presidential election, we anticipate comments and questions from students,” said Grade 1 teacher Julia Rachinsky-Wood. “We will engage in developmentally appropriate conversations, reminding them about their rights and the rights of others,” she added. 

Down the hall, Grade 3 students gained a clearer understanding of the executive branch using age-appropriate materials. The text  "Choosing America's President" by Scholastic provided a framework for lessons about the role and responsibilities of the president.

Writing and critical thinking skills were utilized to debate whether children should have the right to vote. Using a graphic organizer, students were tasked with writing a persuasive paper that included a clear introduction, supporting details to prove their point, and a strong conclusion.

In Middle School, students looked more directly into current political issues. Over the course of several weeks, they studied the Electoral College, geopolitical topics, media bias, and the candidates for the 2024 presidential election. 

Throughout all lessons, teachers emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue across viewpoints. Students used a curated election resource page created by Teacher Librarian Kim Klein in their research.

“Most of the topics we went over I did not know about, so it was really fun to learn about new facts and what is going on around the world,” said Penelope Prince ’29. “I now have more knowledge on each candidate and the issues themselves.”

Each student was tasked with researching a topic of choice and crafting a public service announcement highlighting the perspectives of the Democratic and Republican parties. Emphasis was placed on creating work that accurately reflected a balanced view of the issue, showcasing how each party approaches it differently. In addition to identifying key issues in the 2024 elections, students developed essential research and communication skills. 

“I chose to focus on the topic of healthcare for my public service announcement because it can directly affect me and everyone if not given the proper attention,” said Audrey Asnes ’29. 

The civics and government studies across Lower and Middle Schools underscore the power of informed citizenship and the importance of respectful dialogue. Through age-appropriate, interactive activities, students gained a deeper understanding of their roles in a democratic society while developing critical thinking and communication skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. With each lesson, students took steps toward becoming thoughtful, engaged citizens prepared to navigate and contribute to an increasingly complex world.