Project Helps Democracy Spring to Life at Flower Hill

Flower Hill Primary School third graders in teacher Veronica Quinlan’s class participated in an interesting learning experience that helped bring the concept of democracy to life.

“As part of their English language arts and social studies curriculum, the students participated in a school-wide vote to determine which food, pizza or tacos was the most popular,” Principal Cindy Siegel explained. “The students not only got to exercise their right to vote, but also created campaign posters and practiced persuasive writing, giving them a hands-on understanding of the democratic process.”

In their classroom, students had been studying the importance of elections and how they are a key part of how decisions are made in a democracy. The third graders were eager to apply what they had learned in a real-world context and how democracy works on a smaller scale.

“The excitement began when students were divided into two groups: one supporting tacos and the other backing pizza,” Ms. Quinlan said. “Each group worked together to design colorful campaign posters, create persuasive slogans, and even write speeches to convince their classmates to vote for their chosen food. The students used their persuasive writing skills to explain why tacos or pizza should win, giving them a deeper understanding of how candidates use communication to win support in real elections.”

On the big day, all students at the school participated in the vote. Ballots were distributed and students marked whether they preferred pizza or tacos. Teachers , staff members and parents joined in the fun, too, casting their votes and showing their support for either team.

“This hands-on lesson on democracy was more than just a food debate,” Ms. Quinlan said. “It gave students a chance to practice skills they’ll use throughout their lives, including writing, speaking, and understanding the importance of voting.”

The Flower Hill youngsters really enjoyed the project. “The excitement and school spirit during the campaign reflected the enthusiasm students have for learning and the vote served as a perfect way to connect classroom lessons with real-world experiences,” Ms. Siegel said.