Kent Place Students Learn About the 2016 Election

While a majority of Kent Place’s students aren’t yet old enough to vote, students across all divisions have been learning about the election with hands-on lessons.

In the Primary School, students in grades 3 through 5 were given the opportunity to participate in the Presidency Project. Led by Primary School English Language Arts Coordinator Joanne Emery, students who wanted to participate met before school for 30 minutes, once each week to learn about being President of the United States and the election process. Each meeting centered on a different topic: “What does a president do;” learning about Victoria Woodhull, first woman to run for president; and presidential trivia were some of the topics discussed. The club members also created a real-life election, having the entire Primary School vote for the name of their library dragon mascot.

In the Middle School, the election is the main theme surrounding the division’s “Genius” hour once each week. Genius hour is a time when students have a clear choice in what they are learning and how they express it. In the Middle School, using the presidential election as a backdrop, students are beginning to identify their own areas of interest and develop a plan for their personal learning odyssey. Each girl has chosen a national or global issue to explore, and will present their projects at the end of November.

Both Middle and Upper School students held a mock presidential election in October. Official Union County Board of Elections booths were on campus to tabulate student, faculty and staff votes. Four officials from the Board of Elections set up and supervised the voting all day. More than 420 people voted.

Also in the Upper School, seniors in the Contemporary History class presented information about the United States election process (e.g. caucuses, primaries, the Electoral College) during their Morning Meeting. Upper School students also participated in an activity during Advisory: a web-based quiz called “I Side With.” The survey allowed students to choose from two options in response to questions. When the students finished the quiz, the site showed them which candidate their views most closely aligned with.