Today at work, I was doing Google investigation into how other educational entities typically present resources and materials to teachers when I stumbled over the CIA Kid’s Page (here). Just who are these educators who turn to cia.gov for curriculum pointers? I’m picturing male high school history teachers who coach football, not-so-subtly mock the class intellectuals, and secretly or openly yearn to torture terrorist operatives.
The CIA Kid’s Page also features cyber-safe content that allows children to satisfy their curiosity about just what the CIA does:
The CIA is an independent US government agency that provides national security “intelligence” to key US leaders so they can make important, informed decisions. CIA employees gather intelligence (or information) in a variety of ways, not just by “spying” like you see in the movies or on TV (though we do some of that, too).
Hey kids, the CIA also gets information by using “interrogation techniques” such as simulated drowning (or “waterboarding.”) It’s kind of like when your older brother dunks you at the swimming pool until you give him your candy.
The CIA also provides a handy assortment of lesson plans for teachers to use to guide their student’s exploration of the CIA website, including practicing how to gather and analyze information (here) by interrogating elderly family members with questions like “Where did you live? Where did you go with your friends? How did you communicate with your friends?” And if Granny claims that she can’t remember, remind her that you have ways of “helping” her to remember.
