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District 181 schools host mock debates, elections
Clarendon Hills Middle School student Charles Zayed portrays President Barack Obama and Gianni Frasca portrays Gov. Mitt Romney during a mock debate Nov. 5 as part of social studies lessons. Classmates C.J. Enright and David Wilkemeyer portrayed Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
Updated: December 4, 2012 2:42PM
CLARENDON HILLS — Current events are a regular part of the social studies classes in Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School, but the presidential election was an especially noteworthy discussion point this fall.
In connection with their lessons, students in both schools held mock elections and learned about each candidate’s position on a variety of issues. At Clarendon Hills Middle School, eighth-graders participated in mock debates. Students spent time researching key topics such as the economy and border control and then representatives answered questions about the topics from moderators in a high-spirited back-and-forth.
Classmates voted in a mock election that included both a popular vote and electoral vote. The winner in both was Romney with a 344-259 popular win and 77-34 electoral vote win.
At Hinsdale Middle School, Romney was the victor in their mock election, as well, with 370-217 of the popular vote and 46-10 of the electoral vote. In addition to the election, students created campaign materials that supported their candidate of choice and also participated in a test that determined their level of liberal or conservative sentiment based on responses to issues such as the economy and health care.
