Howold must you be to vote?
Canmen and women both vote?
Doyou have to pay to vote?
Whatdoes “secret ballot” mean?
Howdo you determine who wins?
The “majorityrules” is a key concept to our democracy and something that you can practice inyour classroom on a daily basis. Let children vote on the game they want to play, the song they want tosing, or the story they want to hear. The teacher will still be in charge by selecting two or three options(the outcome of which will achieve her goals), but the children will buy intothe idea because they have some voice in the matter. Voting can also contribute to the feeling of community andteam spirit in your classroom.
In mykindergarten I set up a cardboard box on a table to be the voting booth. Children took turns checking off aclass roster as their friends voted in the booth. The ballot had two options for each of thesecategories: game, story, song, andsnack. There were picture cluesalong with the words so children could “read” and mark their choice. A shoebox became the ballot box and theexcitement increased as we tallied results at morning meeting.
I remember in myhistory of education class that the purpose of schools in the United States wasto “educate to perpetuate a democratic citizenry.” You can plant the seeds in your classroom today and everyday by providing children with the opportunity to vote!
