Main objectives

• Kids in K-5 learn to voice their opinions in Morning Meeting through this simple quick process.

• Kids learn to express their emotions when they win or lose in a vote that is taken during the Morning Meeting.

• Kids learn how to make good decisions by processing how they vote.

Background

Voting in large groups is a lifelong activity. Even though kids can’t vote in governmental elections, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t care or know about the election process. Whether it’s a federal presidential election or a vote to choose a class project, voting is an important way people learn to think for themselves and for their communities at the same time. And when kids get excited about voting they realize their voices and choices make a difference.

On a practical level voting can make a real difference in a child’s behavior and attitude. It can help a student’s social-emotional development while improving their overall educational experience. 

What our voting protocol helps with

Skills students may learn:

• Be respectful to students who lose - or win

• Control emotions 

• Name feelings

• Take responsibility in a democratic system

• To agree on a shared rules-based order

Based on experiments in classroom democracy dating back to Aristotle and Plato, who let students self-assign topics for philosophical contemplation, it's clear children need to learn to make choices in groups.

We aim to fulfill the basic tenets of the democratic classroom by empowering all students in a class to vote on group activities. This kind of activity could lead to an appreciation for the virtues of extracurriculars such as Model UN, mock trials, and debate, in addition, to cultivating a democratic attitude for the rest of the child’s life. 

Teacher to-do:

Materials not provided by Inquiring Minds: 

1. A shoebox

2. Creative materials - crayons, markers, paper, glue, colored pencils, etc

3. Index cards, paper, or post-it notes (for voting)

Here are the Teacher’s Guide and Sample Slides