“Mr. President, I’m a Fifth Grader”

• In Event: Democratic Citizenship in Education 2

Abstract

Drawing from television news coverage is a common approach to teaching civics, however, few elementary school students take on interviewing a governor and the President of the United States. This qualitative case study explores the pedagogical possibilities of providing elementary-age students with video gear and journalistic access to community leaders and public figures. Specifically, it follows 5th graders who joined the press corps at one of President Obama's 2010 political events and considers how such occasions can become “teachable moments.” The study examines teacher-student discursive practices from a poststructural theoretical framework, to reveal affects on students’ civic engagement and overall achievement.

Author

• Ed Madison, University of Oregon