Association for Unsupervised Curriculum Development
March 2008
Timely is this volume. While senatorial solicitation of sex in airport restroom stalls seems so, so, so sordid, it nonetheless exists. At least in the Northwest. And children, brought up in this age of iPods and iPhones and iCan'tBelieveOurElectedOfficialsAreSuchFilth, will ask their cute little questions, as children always do. Questions such as, "What's a stance?" and "Is the governor of New York so ugly that his wife doesn't like him any more?" and "What's New Jersey?" Such queries, especially when aired in the classroom, demand tact and finesse, and this swell little volume offers suggestions for mustering just the right response to little Johnny's and Janey's latest curiosity. "Focus on the scandal's more positive elements," the report suggests, "such as the need for occasional new blood in political-leadership positions and the importance of recognizing the faces of pubic officials." Chapter 7, "On Double Entendres," is an especially welcome aid for those teachers who, beyond explaining sex scandals, just can't seem to say five words about government or politics without eliciting snickers from assorted 11-year-olds. Our favorite suggestion is pretty basic: "Think before you speak and choose your words carefully. Consider how your statements will sound to youngsters, the majority of whom have likely never engaged in sex but nonetheless have it constantly on their minds." For example, when discussing populists in history class, say they stand up for "regular Americans," not "the little guy." When teaching about polls, it's fine to point to the fickleness of public opinion, but don't talk about the way the political winds "blow." Immature? Well, so is the age in which we live. Find it here.
by U. R. Shirley Kidding