Third Grade Class President

GoldenRivet · 11-07-08, 01:27 AM

Got this in the e mail, thought i would share.

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The most important civics lesson I ever learned about America came to me during a recent third grade class I was teaching.

The presidential election between McCain and Obama was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president to teach the kids about the process so they could better understand what they were following on TV. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote on the best candidate.

To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. They should be Honest, respectable, kind, and have good grades etc.

We got many nominations and from those, it was narrowed down to two young children named Jamie, age 9 and Olivia, age 8 who were picked to run for the top spot.

The class had done a great job in their selections , and seemed to have a pretty good understanding of the governmental processes.

Finally the day arrived when they were to make their speeches and the class would vote.

Jamie went first. He had very specific and well thought out ideas about how to make our class and even our entire school a better place for the teachers and students alike. He ended his speech by promising "If you elect me i will do my very best to be a good class president". Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the front of the class.

Her speech was concise and to the point to say the least.

All she said was.... “If you will vote for me, I will give you all ice creams.”

that's all she said!!

... and you know what?

the class went ape sh*t wild.

“Yes! Yes! We want ice cream.” they all said

She surely had more of a plan than to promise ice cream to the other students!! I was sureshe would say more than this one sentence speech...But... she did not have to.

A brief discussion followed.... guided of course by me the teacher.

"How do you plan to pay for the ice cream?" i asked Olivia

"Ummm I dont know." she said

"Well... are your mommy and daddy going to buy the ice cream?" I asked

"I dont know" she said

"Will you have fund raisers to have the class buy Ice cream for themselves?" I asked

Again she didn't have an answer, and the class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie and his great ideas were forgotten instantly.

Olivia won class president by a landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream.

fifty percent of America reacts like nine year olds.

They want that ice cream.

The other fifty percent know they’re going to have to feed the cow, milk the cow, make the ice cream and GIVE the ice cream away to the other 50% !!!

11-07-08, 01:27 AM	#1
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Third Grade Class President Got this in the e mail, thought i would share. ======================================== The most important civics lesson I ever learned about America came to me during a recent third grade class I was teaching. The presidential election between McCain and Obama was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president to teach the kids about the process so they could better understand what they were following on TV. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote on the best candidate. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. They should be Honest, respectable, kind, and have good grades etc. We got many nominations and from those, it was narrowed down to two young children named Jamie, age 9 and Olivia, age 8 who were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections , and seemed to have a pretty good understanding of the governmental processes. Finally the day arrived when they were to make their speeches and the class would vote. Jamie went first. He had very specific and well thought out ideas about how to make our class and even our entire school a better place for the teachers and students alike. He ended his speech by promising "If you elect me i will do my very best to be a good class president". Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the front of the class. Her speech was concise and to the point to say the least. All she said was.... “If you will vote for me, I will give you all ice creams.” that's all she said!! ... and you know what? the class went ape sht wild. “Yes! Yes! We want ice cream.” they all said She surely had more of a plan than to promise ice cream to the other students!! I was sure*she would say more than this one sentence speech...But... she did not have to. A brief discussion followed.... guided of course by me the teacher. "How do you plan to pay for the ice cream?" i asked Olivia "Ummm I dont know." she said "Well... are your mommy and daddy going to buy the ice cream?" I asked "I dont know" she said "Will you have fund raisers to have the class buy Ice cream for themselves?" I asked Again she didn't have an answer, and the class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie and his great ideas were forgotten instantly. Olivia won class president by a landslide. Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream. fifty percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want that ice cream. The other fifty percent know they’re going to have to feed the cow, milk the cow, make the ice cream and GIVE the ice cream away to the other 50% !!! __________________