What do you get when you combine apples, caramel, a bit of instruction on how to be an involved citizen and a tasty way to practice these new-found ‘active citizen’ skills?
Sticky fingers, sweet slogans and inspired future voters!
With the elections right around the corner I hosted an event for our homeschool support group in order to give the kids a sweet ‘taste’ for the blessings and opportunities of civic involvement. As we talked about the election process, we reviewed the opportunities and responsibilities we have in this wonderful country to have a voice in the decisions that are made and the people we elect. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to communicate to the kids and finally decided to focus on the opportunities we have to investigate, advocate and participate!
INVESTIGATE
After learning that we have the responsibility to investigate the issues and candidates, they were oh so excited to apply that level of scrutiny to investigating preferences for red or green caramel apples to see what they found to be the tastiest combination.
ADVOCATE
Since there is no shortage of campaign posters around town, the kids found it easy to understand what it means to advocate for what you believe in. After investigating the whole ‘caramel apple issue,’ they set to work creating campaign posters and planning campaign speeches before hitting the trail and making last minute pleas for votes. These kids came up with some creative ideas. Being a closet ‘green apple’ fan {I was striving hard to appear neutral}, I must say that I loved how one boy put it on his poster: “Sweet is good. Sour is good. But together, they make something better.” And there were some adorable campaign speeches {picture a 3 or 4 year old little boy proudly telling us all how to vote} and some dynamo one’s from the older kids!
PARTICIPATE
Finally, the time came to cast our votes. The lines at the polls were long… With voter ID cards in hand, they dutifully grabbed their ballots and silently filed into their private voting booths {thanks pinterest!} and cast their votes.
Volunteer kids tallied the votes and prepared the results before revealing the outcome to the rest of us!
While they may not be old enough to vote yet, watch out folks. These kids plan to be informed and boy can they advocate. In time, the trifecta of involvement will be complete.
Love this!! Pinned it. 🙂
Love it! So creatively, wonderfully educational!
We were able to hold it at a local church.
What a great learning experience! Too bad this can’t be shared with some politicians too get their viewpoint. Where did you do this at? Had a lot of kids all ages. MiMa