Kavanaugh hearing furor a very teachable moment

Oh, to be back in elementary school as a classroom teacher who could open student discourse on what they are reading in the newspapers (daily assignment) and hearing on televised news!

The current furor over the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice could be addressed during a couple of class periods each day, and, depending on the grade level, could even inspire the energizing experience of dividing up into diverse philosophical groups with reading assignments and the promise of subsequent days of discussion and controversy.

The students would set the rules for civil, courteous discourse that they would enforce. The rules would be displayed at the front of the classroom for continuous reference and reminder of required decorum.

And, of course, there would be follow-up assignments for two-page essays in which students could explain their perspectives and support their arguments.

And the overriding word, written large on all boards and required at the top of submitted papers, would be “respect.”

What a delicious opportunity to energize and fascinate students who would learn firsthand the importance of good oral communication, the significance of fact-research and the need to hear from everyone.

I am so envious of the current crop of teachers! — Vilma Pallette, former elementary school teacher in Massachusetts, New York, Texas and native of California, Santa Clara