Teachers are always on the lookout for exciting ways to teach students about the world outside their immediate environment. One such opportunity involves teaching children about the French President and its unique political system. This blog post outlines productive and engaging techniques K-12 teachers can use to introduce the topic, inspire discussions, and expand their students’ knowledge.
Start by explaining France’s importance on the international stage and how its government operates more like a hybrid system somewhere between a presidential democracy and parliamentary democracy. Teachers can describe the role of the French president, including both ceremonial aspects, as well as more influential decision-making facets.
Visual materials such as maps, photographs, and videos can be leveraged to educate students about the beautiful country of France, positioning it in the wider context of Europe, its history, culture, food, art, and famous landmarks. This will lay a strong foundation upon which educators can start introducing information about past presidents such as Charles de Gaulle, François Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, and Nicolas Sarkozy, and their significant contributions.
Educators should encourage curiosity by sharing fun facts and stories like the young age of Emmanuel Macron when he assumed office – being one of the youngest leaders worldwide at 39 years old. Critical thinking can be facilitated by discussing historical decisions made by former presidents which shaped France into what it is today.
Teaching about elections in France would spark meaningful discussions on different political systems worldwide. Comparing France’s presidential term (currently five years) with that of other countries will also prove fruitful. Teachers may engage students in debates about electoral systems or organize mock elections in classrooms representing various French political parties.
An excellent way to wrap up this topic might be discussing contemporary French politics – how policies are decided and carried out within the country. Diplomacy can be touched upon since it takes up a significant portion of any president’s duties. Once fundamental concepts are understood well, this will help students form a sufficiently informed opinion about the ongoing news and events related to the French President.
In conclusion, teachers should guide the learning experience in an interactive and hands-on fashion while remaining open to input from curious students. By employing these methods, K-12 teachers can look forward to making the political journey more enjoyable and fostering a strong passion for global understanding in their students’ hearts.
