News

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Elementary District Makes the November Election an Educational Experience

Many of the Santa Barbara Elementary School District’s libraries are going to use the November election as an educational opportunity for students. Librarian Nancy Tobin said, “We are reading election-related fiction aloud, putting up displays about the presidential candidates, and many, if not most, schools will hold mock elections for some of the upper grade levels.” The level of participation in the mock election varies by site.

Roosevelt Elementary School’s sixth-grade teachers Barbara Barr and Wendi Ostroff are borrowing “official” voting booths from the county elections office. Joseph Holland, the county clerk, assessor, recorder, and registrar of voters will speak to fifth- and sixth-grade students at October 21 at 12:45 p.m. Also, sixth graders will have their own debates and will get extra credit for watching debates on television (time and dates are yet to be determined).

With funds provided by Rotary Downtown, Ms. Tobin purchased election-related books for ten elementary schools to make sure everyone had the same selection. The ten schools are featuring the election with an informational bulletin board about the presidential candidates and a selection of engaging contemporary fiction and picture books on voting for teachers to read aloud in the library. A list of internet resources appropriate for children is available to help children learn about the presidential race.

If teachers are interested in hosting a mock presidential election, Ms. Tobin offers a sample ballot suitable for duplication. She noted, “According to Scholastic, since 1940 student voters accurately predicted the winner of all but two presidential elections!”