Students at Ecole Deer Meadow School got a lesson in democracy this week as they headed to the polls to elect classroom leaders.
As part of his social studies unit on local and provincial government, Grade 6 teacher Allan Bouliane staged an actual election, complete with campaigning, advance polling, acclaimed candidates, voter IDs and genuine Elections Canada ballot boxes.
Bouliane has been running elections in his classroom for more than a decade, and says it brings the challenging topic of democracy down to his students' level, allowing them to participate in a process that is otherwise left to adults.
"It's exciting to see the kids engaged," he said, "because democracy is a hard topic to get 11- and 12-year-old kids excited about."
More than 40 per cent of the Grade 6 students stood for election this year, putting in extra time to create campaign materials, write speeches and talk to constituents during lunchtime.
And the voter turnout in this group was certainly enviable: 100 per cent - even students absent on election day last Thursday were able to show their homemade voter ID and cast their ballots in advance polls.
The positions to be filled included Spirit Promoter, Arts and Crafts Coordinator, Fitness Facilitator, and Environmental Advocator. Elected representatives have until the end of May to follow through with one idea presented during their campaigns.
Bouliane said he is always impressed by the range of ideas generated by his students, which this year included making stress balls, instituting a social media day, starting an after-school fitness club, and winning renewable pencils for recycling efforts.
Lize-Marie Hoffman ran for Spirit Promoter on a platform that included a social media day.
"Lots of kids in the class are always on their phones," she said, "so I would like them to share what they are doing."
Beyond creating a platform on which to run and presenting it to their classmates, candidates also learned lessons about interacting with each other.
"I learnt that I wasn't the only one who really wanted to do this job," said Hoffman. "Spirit promoter isn't just about the games, it's also about friendship and helping other people."
"Some of the really cool parts were seeing all the different candidates do their different campaigning and how everyone really was compassionate about it," said Paige Thompson, who pitched the idea of spray-paint art using water guns in her bid for Arts and Crafts Coordinator.
Running, winning and losing with class was an ongoing theme throughout the process.
"When you win, that's awesome, you deserve it, you've earned it," Bouliane told his class before they cast their ballots. "But understand that somebody else is disappointed and probably a little bit sad."
"The biggest thing I learned was that you can't make other candidates look bad," said Sydney Mix, who ran for Fitness Facilitator. "You have to be supportive of the other candidates and you can't just say ëI'm the best and you're not.'"
Bouliane emphasizes participation in all aspects of the election process, not just for candidates, but for the electorate as well.
"It was all of the voters who had fun," he reminded his class. "It's not just the people who are running. We've all been beneficiaries of the whole campaigning part."
Those campaign benefits were tangible. And delicious.
"They gave me food," said Heaton Mogck when asked what was the most enjoyable part of being a voter.
In addition to hanging up posters and banners, handing out bookmarks and making speeches, candidates also served up cupcakes, cookies and doughnuts in an attempt to sway the electorate.
But Mogck gained more than just a full stomach.
"Before, I just heard it on the news. But now I actually know what everyone does."
