• Printer Friendly Version

Subject

Social Studies (NYS K-12 Framework Common Core)

Description

Kids Voting USA’s classroom materials are designed to aid teachers in addressing civic learning objectives. The activities are short and engaging and they foster group discussion and the use of critical-thinking skills.

Objective:
Students vote, tally, and implement the vote.

Duration

20-30 minutes

Materials

Construction paper; Yes/No Sign handout; tape

Yes-No Sign.doc

Get Ready

• Cut a small strip of construction paper to make a link for each child. Each strip of construction paper will be a link in a chain.
• Cut apart the Yes/No Sign handout.
• Pin the Yes sign and the No sign to a bulletin board so you can attach the students’ links as they vote.

Instructions

• Say to the students, "Have you and your friends ever had to make a decision about something that was hard to agree on? Maybe you were deciding what to watch on TV or where to eat. How did you finally make the decision? Voting is a fair way to make decisions."
• Help the class choose an issue to vote on (such as snacks, activities, or recess time) that can be implemented immediately. State the issue as a question to be answered “Yes” or “No.”
• Give your students the strips of paper. (You may ask them to write their names on them or you can explain the concept of a secret ballot where voting is confidential.)
• Explain that one link on a voting chain represents one vote.
• Let each student link his/her “vote” under the Yes sign or No sign.

Discussion Questions

• Is the longest chain under the Yes sign or under the No sign? Let’s count.
• Can you see your own voting link?
• Would the chain look different if you had not voted?
• What might happen if you could vote as many times as you wished rather than once?
• What do the results of our vote mean to us?
• Was this a fair decision?

More!

The class could vote on other issues during the week in this way or in others.

Additional Information

Click on the link below for a summary of Kids Voting USA classroom activities.

Kids Voting Summary.pdf

Related Academic Standards

New York State

SS.1.CIV.3.b Traits of a responsible citizen include respecting others*, behaving honestly, helping others, obeying rules and laws, being informed, and sharing needed resources.

SS.2.CIV.3.c The process of holding elections and voting is an example of democracy in action in schools, communities, New York State, and the nation.

SS.2.CIV.3.c.2 Students will participate in voting within the classroom and in school as appropriate.

SS.E.5.3E Students understand that effective, informed citizenship is a duty of each citizen, demonstrated by jury service, voting, and community service.