The BC Election: Results of Our Class Vote!

Hello, 5B families!

In Social Studies, the 5B class has been enjoying a unit on government—with a recent focus on understanding the democratic process and the BC election. Here is an overview of our learning journey…

We did independent research to learn about the parties and candidates using a variety online sources and friends and family. At all times, students are encouraged to think for themselves, form their own views based on evaluating information for themselves, and note how language choice and the omission or emphasis of certain information can shape opinions and reveal bias.

We watched and analyzed the leaders’ debates, taking notes on key points.

We explored a student resource kit that was graciously sent to us from Elections BC.

We took a bird’s eye view of some key election issues and each campaigning party’s stance and promises.

We conducted our own election simulation in class, endeavouring to follow protocols.

Then we tallied the results and three students choose to role play the leadership candidates and dramatized their responses to hearing our grand announcement: 1 vote for NDP, 7 votes for the Green Party, and 13 votes for the BC conservatives.

John Rustad (played by Lucas) gave a great impromptu acceptance speech and took tough questions from audience. He was quick on his feet to answer how he planned to deliver on his campaign promises—also adding he could make up any budget shortfall with “a lemonade stand in my yard.” The audience loved it! David Eby (played by Ethan) of the NDP and Sonia Furstenau (played by Lochlan) of the BC Greens gave gracious concession speeches and showed support of their competitors…what we witnessed as an audience was first class sportsmanship! There was lots of laughter and tonnes of learning!

Today, students are finishing writing paragraphs to answer this question:

If you could vote in the 2024 B.C. election, which party/candidate would you vote for, and why?

I walked students through an example of how to pull together ideas, and gave a paragraph framework they can follow or adapt to make their own. I asked students to provide at least three detailed reasons for their decision. *I clarified that I will be evaluating the ways they express and support their positions (not their positions themselves). Alternatively, students had the option to write about the reasons why no party/candidate earned their trust and vote at this time.

MORE STUDENT WORK
COMING SOON!
It is enriching for us to see and celebrate the kind of great research and critical thinking the 5B students have been doing.
So, I will keep updating this blog post with examples of students’ paragraphs once they are complete.
Work will only be shared with a student’s consent and all names removed for privacy.