Lelie Lott, Director of Embassy Fort Lauderdale, writes:
I thought I'd let you know about something educational and fun we did here in the Fort Lauderdale school.
As you can imagine, the US presidential campaign has been a theme of great interest among our students. The students have had lots and lots of questions: questions about how much money candidates can spend, why there are only two main parties and more. Our teachers took sample ballots to the classrooms and discussed the basics of how voting works in the US. Students talked about how voting works in their countries (or how the leaders are chosen if there is no voting).
Before doing any of this, we reminded teachers how important it is not to show our personal political preferences in the classroom. We also stressed the need to keep up with the regular curriculum, keep the classes student focused, etc.
We ended the election season with voting today in the 9:00 am classes. Each student was given the opportunity to cast an Embassy Fort Lauderdale Presidential Election Ballot. I've counted up the ballots and will be announcing the results to the school tomorrow morning!!
We had several students turn in empty ballots with a note stating they don't know the candidates well enough to vote. A few others voted for themselves or a favorite teacher, Bart Simpson, or Mickey Mouse... but most took it seriously.
The comments the students gave were interesting. Those who chose McCain listed experience, security, and more free trade as their reasons for voting as they did.
Those who chose Obama listed more diverse reasons including among others: change, end to war, better relations with other countires, youth and intelligence, no connection to current president, want to see a black person as president, environment.
Our students loved having the chance to be involved in this election, they have had lots of English practice during all of the discussions in English on the theme, and we all learned a bit more about world politics.
We'll wrap things up with the announcment of the school's choice for President on the front information board at the reception desk in the morning.
(FYI: Our students voted to elect Obama. Ballot count: 12 for McCain. 76 for Obama. Remainder chose "other" or opted not to vote.)