CCSS and The Debates: Perfect Together!

Did you watch the debates? As I was reviewing the CCSS Reading Standards for Informational Text, I couldn't help but notice the relationship between the dates and the standards.

Grade 7 

7. Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each  medium’s portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the  delivery of a speech affects the impact of the  words).    

Grade 8 

7. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea. 

During this debate season, there has been lots of talk directly related to these standards. Many commentators have discussed how different some of the debates were if you listened to them versus if you watched them. Even John Stewart talked about what the first debate looked like with the volume on and with the volume off!

Our students have easy, almost instant, access to the audio, video, and transcripts of the debates. They can even respond to what is happening via Twitter. Chris Lehman, the Principal at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, tweeted that he was following SLA students’ tweets about the debate.

In addition to Twitter, there have also been many live blogs occurring during current events.

·         The Wall Street Journal hosted one for journalists: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/10/11/live-blog-the-biden-ryan-vp-debate/

·         PBS posted their comments live during the debate: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/10/vice-presidential-debate-live-blog.html

·         I’m sure there were classes across the country doing a live blog during the live or recorded debate via tools such as Today’s Meet or Cover It Live.

The CCSS want our students to compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums. As an exercise, take some time to look at the debate via video, audio, and text. If your students are in grades 7 or above, could they compare and contrast each medium’s portrayal of the debates? Could they evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each medium?

In addition to the debates, I’ve also included text, audio, and video of Presidential speeches and nomination acceptance speeches.

Presidential Debate

·         Video of the 2nd Presidential Debate, 10/16/12

o   http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50133291n

 

Transcript and Audio of 2^nd Presidential Debate, 10/1/12

o   http://www.npr.org/2012/10/16/163050988/transcript-obama-romney-2nd-presidential-debate

 

·         Video of the 1^st Presidential Debate, 10/4/12

o   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/04/first-presidential-debate-2012-video_n_1938234.html

·         Transcript and Audio of 1^st Presidential Debate, 10/4/12

o   http://www.npr.org/2012/10/03/162258551/transcript-first-obama-romney-presidential-debate

Vice Presidential Debate

·         Video of VP Debate

·         http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50132990n&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsVideoPolitics+%28CBSNews.com+Video%3A+Politics%29

·         VP Debate using fact checks and graphics to take a closer look at attacks and assertions by Mr. Biden and Mr. Ryan. This version also allows you to jump to key moments.

·         http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/11/us/politics/20121011-vice-presidential-debate-biden-ryan.html?ref=politics

·         Transcript and Audio of VP Debate

·         http://www.npr.org/2012/10/11/162754053/transcript-biden-ryan-vice-presidential-debate

From the White House

The White House website includes the audio, video, and transcripts for all Presidential speeches, press briefings, and weekly addresses.

·         Transcripts and Videos of President Obama’s weekly addresses:

o   http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/10/13/weekly-address-one-million-american-jobs-saved-and-stronger-americ

·         Transcripts and Videos of President Obama’s Inaugural address:

o   http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-barack-obamas-inaugural-address

·         Transcript, Video, and Audio of Remarks by the President on Osama Bin Laden

o   http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/02/remarks-president-osama-bin-laden

 

Nomination Acceptance Speeches

·         Transcript, Audio, Video of Romney’s Acceptance Speech at RNC

o   http://www.npr.org/2012/08/30/160357612/transcript-mitt-romneys-acceptance-speech

·         Transcript, Audio, Video of Obama’s Acceptance Speech at DNC

o   http://www.npr.org/2012/09/06/160713941/transcript-president-obamas-convention-speech