Attorney Marc Sedgwick talks to fourth-graders at Greenville Elementary School in Indiana about how elections work in the United States.

GREENVILLE, Ind. — After every question, hands were flung into the air with a correct answer at the ready. Whether it was the names of the branches of the United States government or the number of U.S. Representatives in the state of Indiana, the kids knew their stuff.

About 90 fourth-graders at Greenville Elementary School in southern Indiana recently learned a little more about how national elections work. Marc Sedwick, president of the Floyd County Bar Association, gave a little history on the election process.

“A presidential election is a very important aspect of our democracy,” Sedwick said. “There’s a lot of history and thought that’s gone into the process. I also wanted the kids to have a really positive view of presidential elections, especially considering what everybody’s gone through this year.”

After talking about the electoral college, the popular vote and constitutional provisions for elections, Sedwick said many students seemed to have a good grasp of the subject before he ever stepped in.

“I really was pleasantly surprised to see how engaged the children were about presidential elections and the history,” Sedwick told the Jeffersonville, Indiana News and Tribune.

Anne Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at the school, said even though the 2016 presidential election has proven divisive and unusual, she said she was glad students were able to learn about the process in a factual and non-partisan manner.

Remaining as impartial and discerning as possible is a key to any lesson plan involving this year’s election, many educators say. Even at elementary school age, students are beginning to understand a difference between fact and opinion, so tailoring lessons and discussion to honing critical thinking skills is important.

“Students need to learn how to examine media from various sources and determine their credibility,” Annette Yono, an early elementary resource teacher from West Bloomfield, Michigan, told the New York Times. “The current presidential election magnifies the significance of teaching our children to be critical thinkers.”

Many teachers are also mindful of the underlying lessons that are available through earnest, frank discussions not only about the election, but the American political system as a whole.

“As educators, we teach our kids that kindness, collaboration and cooperation are important not just in school, but in in life,” said Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association. “There is so much at stake in who we choose to be our next president, but this is so much bigger than politics.”

Following his presentation to the Greenville Elementary students, Sedwick said he thought it was important to focus on the mechanics of elections and the history.

“I wanted the kids to understand that usually, when we have people running for president, they’re the utmost kind of individuals,” Sedwick said. “I didn’t want to get into the scandals that both candidates found themselves in this year. It’s competitive, but it’s a good thing for the country.”

He added that another point of discussion was one positive coming out of the campaigns: young women becoming inspired by the two women running for president this year.

Emma Hockensmith, a fourth-grader at the school, said she learned about other parties aside from Republicans and Democrats after Sedwick’s speech, such as the Green Party. She said learning about Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, as well as Hillary Clinton, was inspiring.

“I think in the long run, it’ll turn out good, even if Hillary becomes president and no one likes her,” Hockensmith said. “After her term’s up, more girls will go up to run.”

Donna O’Connor, a fourth-grade teacher at the school, said even though her students are several years away from voting, it’s important for them to know how the process works.

“I’d like for them know that everyone has a responsibility to be knowledgeable about elections and take part in them,” O’Connor said.

The Jeffersonville, Indiana News and Tribune contributed to this story.