CNN Classroom Edition: Joe Biden Revealed

(CNN Student News) -- Record the CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Joe Biden Revealed when it airs commercial-free on October 20, 2008, from approximately 4:10-- 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN. (A short feature begins at 4:00 a.m. and precedes the program.)

Teachers: Please note that a Classroom Edition of the companion program, Sarah Palin Revealed, aired on October 13, 2008 from approximately 4:10-- 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN. Curriculum materials for Sarah Palin Revealed are available at www.CNNStudentNews.com.

Program Overview

Delaware's U.S. Senator Joe Biden took to politics readily, quickly ascending to the U.S. Senate where he has developed expertise on judiciary and foreign policy matters during his terms in office. Now, he hopes to be the next Democratic vice president of the United States. CNN correspondent Abbie Boudreau interviews Biden, his confidants, family members and challengers to learn about the events that have shaped his life and career.

Grade Level: 6-12

Subject Areas: Civics, Forensics

Objectives: The CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Joe Biden Revealed and its corresponding discussion questions and activity challenge students to:

1. Examine the life and professional accomplishments of Sen. Joe Biden;
2. Investigate the office of the U.S. vice president;
3. Analyze the qualifications of the current vice presidential candidates.

Curriculum Connections

Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

Standard II. Time, Continuity and Change: Students will learn about the ways human beings view themselves in and over time.

Standard V. Individuals, Groups and Institutions: Students will explore how groups are formed, what controls and influences them, how they control and influence individuals and culture and how institutions can be maintained or changed.

Standard VI. Power, Authority and Governance: Students will understand the historical development of structures of power, authority and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society as well as other parts of the world.

The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/).

Curriculum Standards for Civics and Government

Standard III. How Does the Government Established by the Constitution Embody the Purposes, Values, and Principles of American Democracy?

1. Public opinion and the behavior of the electorate
2. Political communication
3. Political parties, campaigns, and elections

The National Standards for Civics and Government (http://www.civiced.org/912erica.htm) are published by the Center for Civic Education (http://www.civiced.org/).

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think are the responsibilities of the U.S. vice president?
2. What qualities do you look for in a U.S. vice presidential candidate? Are these qualities the same as those you would look for in a U.S. presidential candidate? Explain.
3. Does a vice presidential candidate's qualifications have any bearing on who you would support for president? Why or why not?
4. Who is Joe Biden?
5. According to the program: What were some of Biden's experiences before he entered politics? How did he break into politics? What political positions has he held?
6. According to the show: What have been some of Biden's political accomplishments? What challenges has he faced during his political career?
7. Why do you think that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama picked Sen. Biden as his running mate?
8. In your opinion, what does Biden's friend mean when he says that, "I think Joe learned the games of life right here in this field"? Give an example.
9. According to the program, what personal challenges has Biden faced in his life? Do you think that they have affected his political career? Explain.
10. According to the program, what is a "Washington insider"? In your view, what might be the benefits and drawbacks of being a Washington insider for a presidential or vice presidential candidate?
11. What have been some of the public's reactions to Sen. Biden's candidacy, as discussed in the program?
12. What challenges, if any, do you think that Biden might face during the 2008 election? If you were Biden's campaign advisor, what advice might you have for him as the race progresses?

Post Viewing Discussion Questions

Teachers: Use these Discussion Questions after viewing both the Sarah Palin and Joe Biden Revealed programs.

1. In your opinion, do Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin have any similar characteristics? If so, what are they? How might these characteristics serve a vice presidential candidate during a presidential election?
2. What new information did you learn about the vice presidential candidates from these documentaries?
3. Did these documentaries change your opinion about either or both of the vice presidential candidates? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. If you were a presidential candidate, who would you have selected as a running mate and why?
5. Who do you think will be the next vice president of the United States? State your rationale.

Suggested Activity

Inform students that Founding Father John Adams served as America's first vice president from 1789 - 1797. Next, read the following statement by Mr. Adams to students and generate a discussion about its meaning: "I am vice president. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything." Then ask: In your opinion, should voters consider the vice presidential candidate when casting their ballots for the presidency? Have each student choose one of this year's vice presidential candidates and conduct research to learn more about his or her views and background. Direct each student to write a paper explaining why this individual should or should not be elected to the position that is "a heartbeat away" from the presidency.

Keywords

vice president, U.S. Constitution, debate, Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. Joe Biden, election, fiscal conservative, Washington insider