Cookies and Spirit Days: Democracy in Action

November means elections and is therefore the perfect time to learn about the importance of being active, engaged citizens who exercise their voices through the power of the vote.

In second grade, students prepared for Election Day through a weeklong study of “what it means to vote.” They learned vocabulary and expanded their comprehension on the important civic topics of elections and voting. When Election Day arrived, students were ready, as informed citizens, to cast their ballots on the critical question of which special cookie they wanted for snack. After listening to campaign speeches and placing their votes in the ballot box, students tallied the results using bar graphs and tally marks, honing these math skills. Chocolate chip won by a landslide!

This "local" cookie election was not the only ballot measure addressed by WDS’s informed “citizens.” In a schoolwide election, students voted between the candidates for a special day: pajama day or sports jersey day. From ganon through eighth grade, students cast their ballots. With potentially different winners for each division, everyone's voice was heard. Pajamas won schoolwide!