ICYMI: USN faculty plan election curriculum
USN is dedicated to fostering an informed and engaged citizenry through education about American elections. Our approach to teaching about elections is guided by research-based best practices and an awareness of students' developmental readiness and interests at each grade and division level. Click here to see a resource guide developed by faculty members who worked together this summer to design a plan for incorporating this year’s presidential election into the curriculum in each division.
By Kate Pritchard, Library Director
This past summer, a small group of dedicated University School of Nashville faculty members worked together to design a plan for how USN will incorporate this year’s presidential election into our curriculum in each division.
Although these lessons and discussions will look very different from kindergarten through to 12th grade, the main questions that students will engage with remain the same: How do elections work? How do people decide on a candidate to vote for? And how can people with different opinions listen to each other and talk with each other respectfully?
We recognize that discussions around sensitive topics can sometimes be challenging and even uncomfortable. This is to be expected in a school culture that welcomes a diversity of perspectives. These moments are opportunities for students to develop skills in conflict resolution, reasoning, empathy, and effective communication.
While we anticipate and accept that freedom of expression can lead to passionate and spirited debates, we also recognize the importance of maintaining respect and civility. Instances where language may unintentionally offend community members provide valuable teaching moments on how to engage in productive and civil disagreement. Language that deliberately harms or threatens the safety of individuals or groups is contrary to our values.
By integrating these principles, USN prepares students to navigate the complexities of the modern world as informed citizens and leaders, equipped with the tools necessary to confirm, challenge, and reflect on their beliefs from a place of respect and dignity. Ultimately, USN aims to graduate students who embody strong democratic principles and who will grow into model citizens of exceptional character and service.
You can see the committee’s resource guide at this link. Thank you for entrusting USN with this responsibility of educating your children and for your participation in our country’s election process. Happy voting!
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This past summer, a small group of dedicated University School of Nashville faculty members worked together to design a plan for how USN will incorporate this year’s presidential election into our curriculum in each division.
Although these lessons and discussions will look very different from kindergarten through to 12th grade, the main questions that students will engage with remain the same: How do elections work? How do people decide on a candidate to vote for? And how can people with different opinions listen to each other and talk with each other respectfully?
To this end, our committee wrote an Ethics Statement to explain the purpose and value of these discussions. We share it with you now in the hopes that, regardless of your feelings about the current election year, you will understand and appreciate the approach that USN is taking.
“At University School of Nashville, we are dedicated to fostering an informed and engaged citizenry through education about American elections. Our K-12 curriculum reflects USN’s core values of excellence, integrity, and creative expression, promoting intellectual curiosity and civic responsibility.”
One of USN’s Guiding Principles is “Responsible Citizenship.” In our classrooms, students learn about their constitutional rights and responsibilities as citizens of their local, state, and national communities. Students will leave USN understanding the power they wield as stakeholders, changemakers, and engaged voters. Like all of our educational efforts, our approach to teaching about elections is guided by research-based best practices and an awareness of students' developmental readiness and interests at each grade and division level.
We aim to inform, not indoctrinate. Our goal is for students to graduate not only with an understanding of how our democracy functions but also with the ability to engage in civil discourse about their own beliefs. This involves listening, sharing, deliberating on, and debating ideas in a respectful manner while using critical thinking skills to evaluate the strength of the evidence to support different opinions.
One of USN’s Guiding Principles is “Responsible Citizenship.” In our classrooms, students learn about their constitutional rights and responsibilities as citizens of their local, state, and national communities. Students will leave USN understanding the power they wield as stakeholders, changemakers, and engaged voters. Like all of our educational efforts, our approach to teaching about elections is guided by research-based best practices and an awareness of students' developmental readiness and interests at each grade and division level.
We aim to inform, not indoctrinate. Our goal is for students to graduate not only with an understanding of how our democracy functions but also with the ability to engage in civil discourse about their own beliefs. This involves listening, sharing, deliberating on, and debating ideas in a respectful manner while using critical thinking skills to evaluate the strength of the evidence to support different opinions.
We recognize that discussions around sensitive topics can sometimes be challenging and even uncomfortable. This is to be expected in a school culture that welcomes a diversity of perspectives. These moments are opportunities for students to develop skills in conflict resolution, reasoning, empathy, and effective communication.
While we anticipate and accept that freedom of expression can lead to passionate and spirited debates, we also recognize the importance of maintaining respect and civility. Instances where language may unintentionally offend community members provide valuable teaching moments on how to engage in productive and civil disagreement. Language that deliberately harms or threatens the safety of individuals or groups is contrary to our values.
By integrating these principles, USN prepares students to navigate the complexities of the modern world as informed citizens and leaders, equipped with the tools necessary to confirm, challenge, and reflect on their beliefs from a place of respect and dignity. Ultimately, USN aims to graduate students who embody strong democratic principles and who will grow into model citizens of exceptional character and service.
You can see the committee’s resource guide at this link. Thank you for entrusting USN with this responsibility of educating your children and for your participation in our country’s election process. Happy voting!
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Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
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2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.