A lesson in democracy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

At the Lewis and Clark Middle School here, seventh-grade reading classes are cutting out newspaper articles and collecting candidate propaganda to combine their nonfiction curriculum with the national Kids Voting program.

In preparation for Election Day, where students may cast their own ballots, the seventh-grade reading teachers developed a three-week lesson plan to encourage students to be mindful of the voting process while applying practical use for their reading and interpretation skills.

"It's nice to do something different from reading a book and then writing about it," said student Dustin Brown. "It's fun to debate with your teammates."

Brown has taken an interest in reading the newspaper, which he may continue after the election.

"It informs you of what's going on -- and I like the crossword puzzles and comic strips," Brown said.

Recently the seventh-graders were analyzing the gubernatorial candidates' and political parties' propaganda.

Teacher Marion Perrey has advised the students to look beyond the polished appearance of the glossy paper, the attuned candidate photographs or the generic catchall bullet points.

"Read the words; find the facts," Perrey said.

Once individuals have done the research, they come together in small groups to organize their facts. They debate the issues, candidates or their own viewpoints, Perrey said. Then the groups combine their data and discuss the meanings and impacts of the November elections.

"The ripple effects could affect children on the other side of the world," Perrey said.

Topics such as employment, the war in Iraq and gun control, keep their brains turning, Perrey said.

"Abortion or gay rights -- these are things they're thinking about," she said. "But some topics we have to handle delicately.

"We let them talk about issues that deal with them. But we must respect that not all students share the same thoughts."

Perrey has seen the children evolve from relying wholly on their upbringing to making their own informed decisions.

"I've learned a lot more about the candidates," said student John Bass. "With Kids Voting, it helps to know who to vote for."

And Bass has been discussing the issues with his family, encouraging his mother how to vote, he said.

"I found out I'm Democratic," Bass said. But when he filled out his Kids Voting voter registration card in early October, he checked "undecided," as did about three-fourths of his class.

Perrey said she was proud of the students' willingness to educate themselves on the parties before checking a preference.

"It's good that at age 12-13, they're starting to think about these things," Perrey said.

Bass noted, "this is an opportunity for us to learn about our community and increase our knowledge about what's happening around us."