Saturday 9 November 2024

US election

 Note from Andrew Moffat:
This story is aimed at Year 5 & 6 and KS3. My aim here was to find a positive story to come out of of the US election in case any children were hearing fears or worries about the result. I was inspired by the concession speech made by Kamala Harris where she says, "This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves." I wanted to show that in a democracy there are lots of different ideas and contradictions. I also wanted to show that equality values are supported across the world. I looked for a positive equality story to come out of the election to contrast the result (which I don't actually mention in this assembly. I'm not asking children to discuss the result; I'm providing another angle to explore the British value of democracy) Some schools may not feel ready to deliver this assembly yet, which is absolutely fine and  here is another assembly on an entirely different topic you may want to use instead.  https://no-outsiders-assembly.blogspot.com/2024/11/passive-protest.html

Sarah McBride becomes first out trans person elected to US House | US elections 2024 | The Guardian

What do you see in the picture? This person has a new job in America this week.

What event happened in America this week? What do you think this person’s new job might be?

Sarah McBride has been elected to the House of Representatives in America this week. She is now a State Senator for the State of Delaware.

What does elected mean? How does that work?

What is the house of representatives for? What does it sound like it’s for?

How do elections work in the UK? Do we have a house of representatives?

In the UK we have Parliament and people are voted in to Parliament when there is a general election. Members of parliament vote on our laws.

In the US there are two chambers; the House of Representatives is the “lower chamber” and the Senate is the “Upper chamber”. New laws, known as bills, are first discussed in the House of Representatives and those that are passed are sent to the Senate to discuss. The Senate will then discuss the new bill and if they decide to pass the bill, it is sent to the President who can pass it in to law or can veto it.

What does veto mean?

Sarah made history this week as the first out transgender person to be elected to the House of Representatives.

After she was elected, Sarah said, “Thank you Delaware, because of your votes and your values, I am proud to be your next member of Congress.”

“Delaware has sent the message loud and clear, that this is a democracy that is big enough for all of us.”

Before the election, Sarah told CBS News, “It is a testament to Delawareans that the candidacy of someone like me is even possible.”

Sarah came out as a trans woman when she was 21. She was interested in politics from an early age and worked as an intern (volunteer) at the White House in 2012. She has worked on several political campaigns including human rights campaigns since then and in 2018 she published a memoir called, “Tomorrow will be different”.

During this campaign, Sarah talked about her priorities which included affordable childcare, housing, healthcare.

Sarah talked about the “power of proximity” as a way to change ideas; “We know throughout history that the power of proximity has opened even the most closed of hearts and minds. And I still believe that the power of proximity taps what I believe to be the most fundamental human emotion, which is empathy.”

-          -Why do you think this made the news?

-          Sarah is the first trans person to be elected to the House of Representatives. The House was formed in 1789. Why has it taken almost 250 years to elect a trans person?

-          Sarah thanked Delaware for their “votes and values”- what is the difference?

-          “This is a democracy that is big enough for all of us.” What does she mean?

-          “It is a testament to Delawareans that the candidacy of someone like me is even possible.” What does Sarah mean by this?

-          Why do you think Sarah called her memoir, “Tomorrow will be different”

-          Why do you think Sarah lists her priorities as affordable childcare, housing, healthcare, rather than LGBT+ issues?

-          What does proximity mean? How do you think being in proximity to someone can change hearts and minds?

-          Sarah says the mist fundamental human emotion is empathy – do you agree?

-          Why is this about No Outsiders?

-          Which British value is this about?

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 


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