This week, my class held their own election. I am placed in a first grade classroom and the students were read three books in which the name of the main character was placed on a ballet for a mock election and all students were given the opportunity to vote. I thought that this was a great way to involve students in an election as their parents had the same opportunity to vote in the United States 2016 election. I am curious as to how other classrooms incorporated, if at all, the election into their class schedule. I felt like hosting our own class election was a fun way to get students to participate in class while learning more about elections. We did not receive results of who won our class election.
At first, I thought that we were doing this class exercise to coincide with the United States 2016 election, but I feel like we, my teacher and I, didn't do everything we could have for the students. On Wednesday, the students were told not to talk about the United States 2016 election results because it is a "private, family matter."
I understand that I have first grade students and they have not established their own political views, but I feel like the students should not have been banned from talking about the results because the president-elect will have an impact on the students and their education. I do believe that the students had other opportunities during recess and snack to talk about the results had they wanted to. I felt like, as teachers, we could've had a classroom discussion because then we, teachers, knew what was being said between the students. If I were to do this lesson again in an upcoming election, I might consider what it could be like if students talk about who won, how they feel, and how their parents feel.
In my research of -isms, I have always read that racism, sexism, and other -isms are not something we are born with, but are grown into. I struggle to know at which age this -isms become prevalent, but I do know that we as teachers need to teach students critical thinking and allowing their minds to grow in new dimensions. I believe that dialogue is what helps prevents these -isms.
Can anyone weigh in on what their class did for the election, if at all? What my class could have improved on? What thoughts there are for when the -isms begin?
I look forward to hearing from you!
I am sorry Trendy Educators, my blog is pretty long, but I'm super curious and thought this would be a good way to ask.
ReplyDeleteMy Kindergarten class didn't even mention the election in any way. Nothing was said about it. One little girl came up to me and told her mom cried because of the election, but that was all I heard about it all day. I am really surprised and disappointed that they didn't discuss it with the students.
ReplyDeleteMy class also held an election between three different book characters. I thought that this was a good way to get them involved into the election as most of the students only knew Clinton's and Trump's names and not what they stood for. The next day the election wasn't talked about while I was there, but there were many upset comments made about who won. My teacher later told me that a large number of the class had gone up to her individually and asked when they would be forced to leave. She addressed the class as a whole to let them know that they do not need to worry about any of that and that they could come and talk to her independently if they had more questions.
ReplyDeleteFor a first grade class I think the election is a hard concept for them to fully understand, though it is important to address it. For the students who are worried about deportation, or other negative aspects that came out of this election a description at their grade level should be given. I think you could explain that our government is a big team and that all sides need to agree before big changes can be made.
I definitely think that discussion about the election outcome should have taken place at the students' level of understanding. There is a lot of anxiety about issues such as deportation, and sometimes school is the only place that students can get an opportunity to express feelings and get a reassuring explanation. I view not discussing as a opportunity lost.
ReplyDeleteMy first grade classroom also did a mock election for their favorite three books, this was school wide. We also did an in class election of their favorite colors, ice cream flavors, and if they prefer cats or dogs. I don't believe that was very beneficial because the Muslim religion doesn't believe in having cats for animals. This cause a little stress and chaos in the classroom for a little while.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do think that it is beneficial to talk about the election in classrooms no matter what the age. Everyone needs to know how important it is to exercise their right to vote.