Ready...Set...Vote! {My Classroom Election}

It's been a while since I posted and it feels good to be back! Today, we had our classroom election and it turned out to be TONS of fun. Last week, my kids decided that they wanted a class pet for our room so I told them that we could get a fish. We decided to make our two "candidates" a goldfish and a beta fish. (I had my fingers crossed for a beta fish because they are easier to take care of!) Over the past few days, my students have been working hard researching their two choices, making campaign posters, and registering to vote. Here's a few pictures of my students getting ready....

Registering to vote

Working on campaign posters

Campaign poster
 

Completed posters hanging in our classroom
 

Yesterday evening, my teammate Kristin and I decorated the 2nd grade hallway to get the kids excited when they arrived in the morning.

 



During the day today, the kids went out in the hallway one at a time and cast their vote for our class fish. They took this very seriously (it was SO cute!) and then got an "I Voted" sticker when they came in. Here's a few pics of the kids voting at the polling booth:

Casting her vote in the ballot box

This little guy wore a tie today for the election... so sweet!

 

After everyone voted, we tallied the results to learn our winner.... the beta fish! It won 21-3 =) We made a bar graph from the data, wrote about what we learned from the graph, and then read a book called My Teacher for President. Our last activity of the day was a fun one. The kids made their own page called "If I Were President..." These pages will be compiled into a class book for the kids to read and enjoy. Here are some of their creative ideas for how they would make the world a better place if they were president...

"Kids would only have to go to school on Mondays and Tuesdays." =)

"Finding jobs for people and signing good laws."

"Making a public garden for other people."
 

"Planting more trees."

"Giving people more jobs."
 

Our class book

What a fun day we had! I'm exhausted but really want to stay up and watch the election coverage. It should be an interesting night! Even though the election is {almost} over, I wanted to let you know that if you are interested in any of these activities, my election unit is on sale through tomorrow for 50% off. Just click the picture below to see what all is included.

Well that's it! I'm off to watch the election coverage and cross my fingers for our school levy that is on the ballot. Have a great night!