Sounds like an indoctrination from the teacher - not sure I'd want my kids being filled with that. Kids that age aren't capable of understanding the complexities of the economics that surround any of those issues and teaching them to form opinions without being able to do the underlying analysis is not valuable. It's better to stick to age appropriate topics so they learn critical thinking skills.

Sounds like teaching from a teacher in to how to start to be engaged in local civics! Maybe, if they start young enough they will be able to discern between borrowing (Bonds - only for building-like spending) and operations (General Funds) like teachers salaries and book costs. They might be able then to understand that Bond $ can never be used for Administrator salaries - or "be sent to Sacramento." I would not (myself) spend a lot of time on this particular 'project based learning' (you can only do the lesson every other year) but it sure seems fine to me!

Do the students sound engaged? If so, they will probably learn a lot.

Steven Nelson is a Trustee of the MVWSD and taught science 6 years. These are his Own Opinions.

What they will learn is how to regurgitate, with fervor, the opinions of another person... There are too many adults shouting opinions without thinking about or understanding the economics behind the opinions. Let's not teach our small children to do the same.

Be careful with having young kids going door-to-door. No matter how bright and wise these students seem, they are still very young without adult antennae for danger. And don't treat them like they are young adults. They are not. They are children. This curriculum seems like it would be better suited for high schoolers and up.

Influencing 7 years old kids opinion about the teachers pay looks like brainwashing to me.

Since none of us were actually in the room when they were learning, we have no idea. Although at first glance, it seems like a subject that is best for older kids. However, one of my children was engaged in local politics around that age...wanted to know the issues.

If the children are engaged, they are learning. Indoctrination is certainly not typical of an educator. And I know full well, that even when I try to indoctrinate my children in my beliefs, it does not always work. :)

I am excited by the enthusiasm from the teacher. That definitely shows through to the students.

Sounds to me that a lot of the posters above are only upset because what is being taught to these schoolchildren does not fit in to their given ideology.

Well, guess what? No one really cares.

As one of the trustees interviewed, Mr. Mattea's lesson was one of the very best examples of project based learning.

Project based learning is the philosophy that you find real life problems for students to solve, let students create authentic work products for real audiences.

There is no government institution that young students have a deeper connection to than their school board, yet the school board is often a abstract idea for students. Mr. Mattea did not lead students to reach any conclusion on any of the topics. What a powerful lesson for young students to learn that they can shape their community via active civic engagement.

Given the age of the students, Mr. Mattea did provide templates, which a non-educator might not realize is necessary when students of that age are writing. His templates guided students to focus on the positive attributes of the candidates. I often wish adults would do the same.

The views expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Mountain View Whisman School District or the school board.

As parent of a child in the class, the main lesson that stick with my child is that the elections are important, they determine how things will be done, and many people are not involved even in topics that directly affect them.
This was a phenomenal PBL experience and a great lesson in civic rights and responsibility.
Thanks to all te candidates and board members who were able to participate and thank you Mr. Mattea for energy to organize this.

This sounds like a wonderful lesson. Both of my children would really enjoy learning this way. Now if only they had the opportunity to do so by being able to go to this school....

Talking about "door to door" comment from Harvard mom... how many of us are taking our
Dressed up young kids trick or treating and saying it is OK to go knock on doors and get candy from strangers?
Boo!! Happy Halloween everyone

Is that all you saw from this project.
Look behind the curtain...:)

They were pretty engaged not bored by the typical way of learning .... Just like the play based learning...where young kids learn through play, PBL keeps kids interested. They learned to write , learned to type, learn computer skills, other tools related to communication, image editing, interview and social skills, group team work, presentation skills, other skills most adults lack
because we were not in an engaging learning environment.

I applaud Mr. Mattea's and his student's hard work and thoughtful analysis. It was a fine example of project-based learning and a passionate engaging teacher. Our district is lucky to have a teacher like Mr. Mattea.