Rocking the Vote in Nunamakerville!

It's election season in "Nunamakerville."  The students have been busy campaigning, and I am loving the creativity shining through.  Each day the students are given time to campaign "door to door" (i.e., desk to desk) in order to persuade voters that they are the best one of the job.  I love seeing all of the door bells that the kids have made for the candidates to ring when they come to their "doors."  Too cute!

Last week the students campaigned for the following positions: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senator, and House of Representatives Member.


Congratulations are in order to:
Governor: Rahul
Lieutenant Governor: Chet
Senator: Brooke
House of Representatives Member: Jack

Speeches were fantastic this year.  Coming off of the "fiscal cliff" several weeks ago, decreasing taxes seemed to be at the forefront of each candidate's platform.  Chet ran on an "increase classroom pay" platform, which might have played a major role in securing his Lieutenant Governor seat.

This week the students are campaigning for Senator (we have 2), Mayor, and Attorney General.  Good luck to all of our fabulous candidates!  I'll let you know once the polls are in next Thursday...

I can remember having trouble memorizing the 3 Branches of Government chart in my social studies textbook when I was a third grader.  Several years ago I thought to myself, "How can I bring this to life?"  Viola!  We created a classroom council and it took on a life of its own.  We talk a lot about each position, how it affects the community's citizens, and checks and balances.  The kids have a deep understanding of government because they live it January through June of each school year.

Once a month we hold a "Town Hall Meeting" where citizens of "Nunamakerville" voice their concerns to their representatives.  (This is a great way to teach the concept of representative government.) After that, the council made up of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 2 Senators, House of Representatives Member, Mayor, and Attorney General meet with me during recess once a month.  We work together under the leadership of the Governor to solve classroom problems.

Solutions can be anything from making a new classroom law to forming a new classroom committee.  My favorite solution over the years has been the creation of the "Friendship Committee" to solve a recess isolation issue.  Our class's "Friendship Committee" became so popular that the entire third grade began coming to our committee for friendship connections during recess.  Kids can be so amazing!

Clean It Up! Sincerely, Your Neighborhood President

Well, our class survived the fiscal cliff.  Student taxes increased from $2 a week to $4 a week.  That left students who were not on the Super Star list in the negative after paying taxes and rent....at least for those who are not homeowners.  The kids survived, just as we did.  Next week our class will have its annual elections.  I always love hearing the speeches.  The kids typically promise decreases in taxes.  It's amazing how true to life things become in the classroom.

Today the kids elected HOA/Neighborhood Presidents.  Tyra had the fabulous idea to create neighborhood committees that would clean up litter in the neighborhoods.  I couldn't resist taking it a step further and creating the Neighborhood President position.  I told the kids that the President would need to pick up any litter on the ground in their neighborhoods.  However, the President also had the ability to write a letter to any neighbors in their communities that potentially decreased property value because of messy desks on the inside or top.  They had to give the neighbor a timeline.  After the expiration of the timeline, the classroom contractor could be called to clean up the mess and the home occupant would have to pay the contractor for cleaning up the mess.  So....five minutes after my announcement of this policy, two Neighborhood Presidents had already written letters.

My scanner wasn't the best, so in case you can't read this letter it says:

Dear Neighbor,

Do you know your desk is dirty?  Clean in up or else.
Due Date: 30 Minutes
Thanks,
Your President








This one says:

Dear J,

Your yard is a mess.  I already called the contractor.  You have to get it done by 2:00.














I'll keep you posted on whether or not this strategy works.  I'm willing to try anything at this point!