The nation is all a buzz with the 2012 presidential election and our classroom has been no exception.  For just over a month, the children have been learning about the election process and studying the issues (education, economy, health care, taxes, and defense). 
Today it all came together in our LifeSong Mock Election.

Even from the very beginning of this unit it was clear that some of the children were influenced by family members and their choices about each of the candidates.  So to be certain that their was a fair and just mock election, each candidate was assigned a random letter from the alphabet and issues were studied by letter opposed to name.  As each issue was presented the children began developing their own opinions about who they wanted to elect (unbeknownst to them the actual names of the candidates). Speculation as to who each candidate was sparked controversy within the classroom. 
Several children began debating the issues themselves!  It was amazing to witness the diplomatic conversations that took place over the last month.  One thing I have learned through this whole process is that adults should step back and
listen more to children!  They really do know what they are talking about and share amazing insights. They definitely had me thinking!

Prior to today the children registered to vote (they must have turned 6 prior to the election year and be
enrolled at LifeSong Montessori), received a voter's registration card, and prepared the classroom voting booth and ballot box.  Each child and teacher registered took their place in line at the poll this morning to cast their ballot. 
The children worked the poll directing eager voters.  After lunch the children tabulated the ballots.  The results......
Barack Obama (Candidate "S")      77%
Mitt Romney (Candidate "N")       23%

Over a month of research, note taking, writing, organizing, and finalizing pays off in a “presidential” way for our elementary children this week.  Each year on Halloween we celebrate "Historical Character Day." Costumes are worn, speeches are given,
and reports are shared.  The ear-to-ear smiles on the children's faces indicate success. 
Pride in their work is apparent as they confidently shared their reports before parents and peers.  Each of the children stood tall just as our forefathers must have done 225 years ago
upon signing our Declaration of Independence.

In elementary the gears change from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."  For much of the last couple of months, the children have been reading numerous resources about one of the first seven presidents of our country. Each child researched a former president of interest.  They studied their president's childhood, family, their service in office, and retirement.  Upon reading interesting and sometimes unbelievable facts (Did you know that John Quincy Adams had an alligator for a pet while living in the White House?), the children often couldn't contain their enthusiasm!  Observing their excitement about their most recent finds and watching the children dive into more research just to see what else they could learn and share speaks volumes.  One of my favorite quotes throughout this assignment was from a first year child who had just completed her final draft, “Wow!  I can’t believe all those words came out of my pencil!”  This project was more than just researching, writing, and presenting; it was a mark on the child's personal timeline in history.