Revolutionary War debate impressive

I had the opportunity to attend the Washington Elementary fifth-grade debate on the merits of Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. The fifth-grade students were split into teams to debate the facts and argue which rider was more important. I was so impressed with how passionate the students were about why they chose a particular rider and how well they knew the facts of the case. They worked as teams to cross examine the other students to make their case and highlight the strengths of their particular point of view.

Talking with the teachers after the debate, they told me that this was part of the Common Core State Standards program to make sure that children are learning critical thinking, not just memorization of dates and names. During the debate, students questioned the other team’s sources of data as well as how they interpreted the facts.  The depth of the students’ understanding of this important event from our Revolutionary War was impressive. I also learned new things by attending.

These are the skills we need from our young people. I know this kind of learning is more challenging for teachers to deliver and sets a higher expectation for our children. But then, isn’t that exactly what we want?

TOM BOKOWY

Sandpoint