At Bennett Elementary, excitement was buzzing in the library as students engaged in a special voting activity designed to introduce them to the concept of voting and decision-making. 

Media Specialist Dana Cooley set up three voting booths where students cast their votes for their favorite books and characters throughout the week. After voting, each student received a sticker as a reward for participating. 

“Voting is the fairest way for a group to make a decision; whether you’re a child or an adult. The book we’re using explains that ‘If you don’t vote, you don’t get to choose, and your vote might be the one that makes the difference’ in the group decision,” said Cooley.

She encourages students to understand that they have a voice and that it’s essential to use it to make a difference as future voters. The students are voting for characters like Pigeon, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Piggie & Gerald, David, and Pete the Cat—familiar figures for students from Pre-K to 5th grade. 

Many students have shown enthusiasm for the booths, with one saying, “You don’t get to see my vote,” highlighting their understanding of the privacy involved in voting. Another student, who is in the 5th grade, said he was proud that he did his “civic duty”. 

Cooley shared that the students often struggled to choose just one favorite, expressing a desire to select all their favorites instead.  

“Students struggled with choosing only one. They prefer to choose all their favorites. We talked about why they liked them and once they said it out loud, they would make the choice easily. That backs up talking to people you trust to help make your decisions,” said Cooley. 

To enhance the experience, Cooley incorporated a read-aloud of “I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference” by Mark Shulman. This book helps young learners grasp the concept of voting through relatable choices, from ice cream flavors to class pets.  

“I hope they learn that they might not always get their way, but they have a voice to ask for it and a way of talking to convince others to agree with them,” said Cooley. 

With a memorable and educational approach, the voting activity not only engaged students in decision-making but also fostered a sense of community and connection to the library. Cooley is excited to see the impact of this experience on students from PreK to 5th grade and looks forward to announcing the winners on November 7th.