Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 2 Winter 2012-2013 | Page 8

Middle School News

By Maryann Barnett

Election Day / November 9, 2012
In preparation for the Presidential elections of 2012, the Middle School teachers were able to work together
and separately to share various perspectives on the process. This interdisciplinary approach is speci cally
used two times per year. The topic of the Presidential elections easily became the topic for this week long
intensive unit. Beginning the Thursday before the elections, language arts and reading teacher, Mrs. Karen
Copeland explained about the history of voting as well as the language used on ballots. Students learned
about the process for running for President, as well as the Senate. Science teacher, Ms. Amber Havers,
focused speci cally on books that complimented the topics of Mrs. Copeland. These included If I Ran
for President, by Catherine Steir. The story reinforced the topics of popular vote versus electoral vote. It
discussed campaigns, and political parties, as well as caucuses and primaries. The book also discussed the
topic of convention as well as delegate and ends with the inauguration.

LEFT: Students waiting to check in.
RIGHT: Rylee putting her vote in the box.

Mr. Brian Lievens, who teaches social studies and history concentrated on the conventions and the debates
with the students. As Wisconsin had made national headlines with several statewide elections, more
discus ͥ