November 1, 2018 – Boynton Beach, FL — How much do elementary students know about the Mid Term Elections? If your child is a 5th grader at Ben Gamla Palm Beach Charter School in Boynton Beach, she may know a bit more than an average eleven year old. In order to teach students about democracy and current events, a Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Ben Gamla Charter School launched an election-theme hands-on activity in her Social Studies class.
“We wanted to teach the students lifelong skills that go above and beyond the curriculum,” explains Brianna Schraft, Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Ben Gamla, a public charter school. “Using a computer-based mock election created by the University of Central Florida, we provided our students with an opportunity to express their opinions, and vote for the candidate of their choice running for State Senator and Governor of Florida.”
On Monday, November 5th, Ms. Schraft’s students will cast their votes electronically in a ‘polling location’ inside their Social Studies classroom — just one day before the formal Mid Term Election. Students will receive an “I voted” sticker, just as they would in a real polling location.
“This activity teaches students how to evaluate the importance of civic responsibilities in our democracy, give students the opportunity to analyze how the constitution has expanded voting rights from our nation’s early history versus how it compares today, and to emphasize how every voice counts during an election,” added Ms. Schraft.
MEDIA IS INVITED TO ATTEND: Student voting will take place on Monday, November 5 at 8:30 a.m., and 9:00 a.m. Ben Gamla Charter School is located at 8600 Jog Road, Boynton Beach.
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Media Contact: Lynn Norman-Teck, 305-216-6208