8th graders debating

Author: Kristen De Deyn Kirk

I know, everyone is tired of the political ads, phone calls and signs -- except for me.

I'm so glad we live in a battleground state, and our children get to see the ads (fits in perfectly with my 6th-grade son learning the word "propaganda" this week in civics class!) and hear about military budget cuts, food stamps and tax cuts or increases for the wealthy. Sure, other kids in non-battle ground states might hear these words once or twice if they happen to watch a presidential debate, but what are the chances of that? Here in Virginia, you are guaranteed to hear those words dozens of times (along with other terms) and to see signs outside -- and kids are curious so they ask questions. Yay! Real-life learning in action!

My daughter reported to me that two of her 8th grade friends were debating Obama-Romney votes, one arguing that the polar bears had to be protected and the other that it just didn't matter. The two girls talked for 20 minutes! Woo-hoo. Usually that amount of time is devoted to talk about Pretty Little Liars or One Direction -- maybe, on a good day, if somthing major has happened. I'll take talk about the environment and public policy (another word my 6th grader learned this week!) over that pop culture any day.