This month, our youngest students began their study of civics as part of their social studies curriculum. The foundation of the Lower School social studies curriculum is built on the concept of community, which helps inform our students’ understanding of the past and encourages them to think about the future. In Kindergarten, for example, the girls have discussed how to be a fair community and wrote a Class Agreement together for their homeroom with callouts like “Take Care of the classroom and materials” and “Everyone gets to learn and play.”
“We in K22 are a community, which is also part of the larger Chapin community,” began Kindergarten teacher Alana Cimillo one afternoon in October.
Chapin, she noted, is part of the Interschool community (a cohort of eight schools in Manhattan), which is within New York and part of the United States. “Something important is happening that involves ALL members of the U.S. community who are 18 or older,” Ms. Cimillo continued. “It’s called an election, which decides who will be the President.” This is done, she said, through a process called voting.
“Who knows what is means to vote? Thumbs up!” Several thumbs were raised in the air with a few students still with quizzical expressions. To help demonstrate the process, Ms. Cimillo and Associate Teacher Yasmin Begum played a quick Sesame Street video.
“How did they decide which group won the vote?” Ms. Cimillo asked as the video ended.
“They counted!” A student responded.
“That’s right! Now, who would like to participate in a real vote to decide something that we can actually do as a class?” Excited cheers rang out as the students moved from their carpet spots to the perimeter of the rug. The students of K22, their teachers shared, would get to decide on a new playtime activity—stickers or pipe cleaners.
“Your vote is your way of using your voice and letting us know what you’d like to do,” Ms. Cimillo said. She also shared that it’s okay to feel sad or disappointed if your choice doesn’t win. When asked how they might fairly respond to the outcome, the students discussed being flexible—maybe their choice could be added to the next playtime—and keeping an open mind by trying the activity they didn’t vote for.
“Your vote is only for yourself,” Ms. Cimillo reminded. “And you can only vote one time!”
After casting their votes by raising their hands, their teachers counted up the results. The number 11 was written on the board next to stickers and 9 was listed beside pipe cleaners. “How do we know which activity won?” Ms. Cimillo asked.
“Stickers won because 11 is two more than 9,” a student said.
Before heading to play time, one student remarked that voting was “exciting,” while another said it made her a little nervous. Ms. Cimillo emphasized that all feelings were valid and that the students would have more opportunities to vote in the future!
