Presidential Powers Deliberation (Middle School)

This middle-school-level deliberation activity asks the following question: Should Congress set new limits on the president’s powers during times of national emergency?

It includes a lesson guide, deliberation reading, glossary, visual, quotations, and recommended resources. It also includes handouts that guide students through the deliberation process from planning to reflection.

Deliberation teaches people how to discuss controversial issues by carefully considering multiple perspectives and searching for consensus. In preparation for deliberations, all participants read common, balanced background information on the issue. During the discourse, they offer arguments for each position on a contested public issue, first drawing from the text and then bringing in their own experiences.

• Read a detailed description of the Deliberation method.
• Our Deliberation Demonstration Video and Resource Bundle includes several resources to help you successfully conduct deliberations in your classroom.