Voting in our class - the first direct-democracy vote

Greeting + Calendar Circle + share homework about 'Constitution'. Teacher: 'Today we have a REAL decision to make. We are going to send a class letter to a buddy classroom. We need to choose: what will we tell them about our class? Today we VOTE.'

• Hold up a sample buddy-classroom letter
• Show 3 proposal options on chart
• Affirm 'every voice will count'

When EVERYONE votes - every citizen has a vote - we call that DIRECT DEMOCRACY. It is the oldest, most direct way to decide together. Watch the 5-step routine: PROPOSE (someone suggests an idea); DISCUSS (we talk about each idea); VOTE (everyone votes); COUNT (we tally the votes); ANNOUNCE (we say the result and accept it together). Today we vote on what to tell our buddy class: A) our favorite read-aloud, B) our class pet/mascot, or C) one game we play.

• Notice - each option is FAIRLY presented. No leading.

  model Teacher writes options A/B/C in big letters on a chart; reviews each.

  prompt Teacher PROPOSES three options on chart paper: A favorite read-aloud, B class mascot, C favorite game.
• Discussion helps us think, not change minds yet.

  model Teacher invites 1 child per option to say WHY their option is good. Time-bounded - 30 seconds each.

  prompt Class DISCUSSES briefly - 2-3 children give one sentence per option.
• CHOOSE the mode you want. Both are valid.

  model Teacher demonstrates secret-ballot mode for sensitive children + open-thumbs for community-feel children.

  prompt Class VOTES - secret ballot using cubes dropped in a box OR thumbs-up open vote.
• Counting is PUBLIC - everyone watches.

  model Two child-helpers count aloud; teacher tallies.

  prompt Class COUNTS together. Tally marks on chart.
• Even if MY option lost, I accept the class's choice. That's citizenship.

  model Teacher says result clearly: 'The class chose ___ with __ votes.' All children clap to acknowledge the decision.

  prompt Teacher ANNOUNCES the result. Class accepts.

• Tell me the 5 steps of the voting routine.
• What does it mean if MY option does not win?

M-1-S-CIV-04-A Chart

MG-3 36x48 inch laminated chart. LEFT panel 'DIRECT DEMOCRACY' with 20-child raising-hand illustration. RIGHT panel 'REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY' with 4 elected child-leaders. 5-step routine illustrated below: PROPOSE / DISCUSS / VOTE / COUNT / ANNOUNCE. Mounted at child-eye-height as today's centerpiece.

MG-3 Chart

Mounted on classroom wall at child-eye-height (24-36 inches) with laminated surface; used as reference during every class vote (lessons 4, 5, 7, 13, 17).

• In trios, role-play the 5-step routine on a small decision (which class job each takes).

  scaffold Step-card prompts per role
• Help count and tally a final result on the public chart.

  scaffold Tally tutor card

• Name the 5 voting steps in order.

• Display first ballot tally as Wall of Civic Actions entry
• Preview: tomorrow we meet our country's symbols

M-1-S-CIV-04-D Photograph

Top-down photo of completed tally chart, ballot box, and option cards. Mounted on Wall of Civic Actions as the class's first archived vote.

• Tonight, tell a family member about today's class vote. Ask: 'Have YOU ever voted? In what?' Bring one sentence.