student vote best practices and tools. student vote tools
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STUDENT VOTEBEST PRACTICES AND TOOLS
STUDENT VOTETOOLS
Resource Package Activity resources Election manual Campaign posters Riding mapBallot boxes and voting screens
No ballots
Online Materials
Editable handouts and worksheets Curriculum links Slide decks Educational videos
studentvote.ca
Click Teaching Resources to find editable worksheets and curriculum links.
1. Create an account for your class
2. Follow: • Our accounts – @CIVIX_Canada, @studentvote and
@voteetudiant
• Elections Canada – @ElectionsCan_E @ElectionsCan_F
• Local and national media accounts – @globeandmail
• Track the parties, the leaders, the pundits, and your local candidates
#studentvote15
3. Post updates from the campaign and Student Vote Day at your school
4. Share your story using the hashtags #studentvote15 #cdned and #elxn42
#studentvote15
pollenize.org/canada
Ballot Package
Ballots Election manual Statement of the Poll form
NATIONAL STUDENT VOTE WEEK:OCTOBER 13-16, 2015
Important Reminder:Please make sure you have registered your school for the
correct riding. You will receive ballots based on this information.
The deadline to change your riding or ballot information is September 30 2015.
STUDENT VOTEBEST PRACTICES
Make sure students have an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government in Canada. It is the foundation for researching and debating the issues of the campaign. We offer numerous videos, PowerPoints, activities and trivia games to support this instruction.
#1 – Start with the basics
#2 – Incorporate news consumption and media literacy every day
It takes 21 days to build a habit. Let’s promote newspaper readership and media consumption.
Political interest and knowledge is developed through media consumption. Use multiple sources and encourage analysis.
Implement a daily news review and create a media wall.
Official content partner of Student Vote 2015
Jane Taber
#3 – Engage the candidates
Give students a chance to get to know their candidates. Organize a friendly all-candidates forum, invite the candidates in for a one-on-one visit, email them questions from students, or engage with them through social media.
Remember to include all the candidates, not just the major parties!
Refer to Handout 5.2 in the Secondary Resourceor
Handout 5.3 in the Elementary/Intermediate Resource
#4 – Delve into the issues that matter to your students
Facilitate research into the issues that matter most to your students. Help them realize that politics matters and government influences their lives. As a class, compare the party platforms of your students’ top issues.
#5 – Fuel political discussion at home
Students are often inspired to take their newfound knowledge home and discuss the election with their parents. Find ways to encourage democracy at the dinner table through take-home activities. Provide an opportunity for students to ‘teach’ their parents about the voting process.
This mother voted for the first time because of her daughter.
#6 – Read the letters and emails sent by the CIVIX team
The information we send is important or is intended to support your job as Team Leader. We try not to over communicate. Always verify that the riding you registered for is the correct riding before we print and distribute ballots.
#7 – Involve your colleagues
Developing the skills of citizenship is the purpose of schools - it's not just a social studies objective. Encourage your colleagues to get involved in Student Vote.
Student Vote runs well when there is a group of teachers involved and everyone is working towards the goal of school-wide engagement.
#8 – Involve local media and give your students a voice
Reach out to local media and invite them to track your school’s involvement in the election. Some newspapers may be interested in publishing op-ed pieces by students or publishing an article and photos from Student Vote Day. Media coverage makes students feel that their opinions are valued and their participation is important.
BC Student announcing the results on CBC
#9 – Ensure students get the full experience of an election
Create an election team with your students. Give as many students as possible a hands-on role promoting or coordinating Student Vote.
Use departments such as communications, voter education, election day officials, and community and media relations.
Poll clerks at Elsie Roy Elementary School
Grade 11 Deputy Returning Officers counting ballots
#10 – Make Student Vote Day fun!
Election day is an exciting day. Give your students an experience they will remember. Dress it up, make it fun, celebrate of our democratic rights and freedoms.
The Grade 5 ‘X-team’ dressed in polling official attire
