Children, Democracy and Faith:
Resources for Parents, Children, and Youth
Compiled by Barbara Gifford,
Curriculum Development Assistant
UUA Lifespan Faith Development Staff Group
Voter Activities at the UU Congregation of Atlanta—A Congregation
Story
Fourth graders at the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Atlanta 
(UUCA) learned about democracy and political participation while they explored
Travel in Time, a UUA program about the relevance of UU Principles
to current times and their own lives. Following a lesson about Susan B. Anthony
(and celebrating her birthday, February 15th), fourth graders took charge
of the voter registration table available at coffee hour. They registered
voters and asked adults to self-address a pledge to vote postcard which said:
“I pledge to affirm and promote our fifth Unitarian Universalist Principle,
the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process, by exercising
my constitutional right to vote—and encouraging others to do the same.
I pledge to vote in accordance with all of our UU Principles in order to make
the world a better place.” Everyone who signed the pledge or registered
to vote got a piece of Susan B. Anthony's birthday cake. And congregants will
receive their postcards reminding them to vote the week before the election.
To enrich the program, DRE Pat Kahn used ideas she found at a website for
children called Kids Voting USA, a "non-profit, non-partisan national
organization.” (See Web Resources for more information.) In an activity
that demonstrates what it means to be an informed voter, kids were given ballots
with a yes or no checkbox that simply said—ice cream, recess, TV, etc.
They were given no instructions and, of course, voted yes for ice cream, recess,
and TV. Then they were given a second ballot with the full information—only
garlic-flavored ice cream will be served, recess will be 20 minutes of sit-ups
and push-ups, TV will be in the classrooms—but only commercials. It
was an eye-opening learning experience.
Contact: Director of Religious Education Pat
Kahn 
Web Resources:
Kids Voting USA®
(KVUSA)
is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that teaches students about
the concepts of citizenship, civic responsibility, democracy and the importance
of political participation. Kids Voting USA combines dynamic, hands-on civics
activities with an authentic voting experience—in the test phase—to
get students involved and ready to be active citizens.
DoubleClick
Democracy
for Fun Activities For the Entire Family
KVUSA’s Family
Guide/Guía Familiar
is filled with activities for your entire family to do together. The Guide
is designed to help you learn about democracy and the value of being an
involved citizen. Each of the six activities (most take 20-30 minutes) in
the Guide highlights the idea that your vote is your voice – make
it count!
Civics
Alive sample activities
,
from KVUSA’s K–12 classroom curriculum, offer learn-by-doing
activities that empower students to develop critical-thinking skills, reflect
on their role and responsibilities as a citizen and confidently participate
in the civic life of our nation.
Destination
Democracy :
The activities in this high school service-learning curriculum provide opportunities
for students to practice the skills of democratic living. The focus is on
meaningful civic engagement including mentoring younger students, registering
voters, working for political candidates, and researching and debating public
policy issues. While many of the activities are more appropriate for an
academic classroom, several could be adapted by youth group leaders. For
example, see Concept 2 activities Use It or Lose It (p 19) and Get Out the
Vote (p 32); Concept 4, I Register to Vote, activities (beginning on p 44).
KVUSA Links to Cool
Sites
Take Your
Kids to Vote :
Make voting a family affair and a family tradition. Take Your Kids to Vote
is a nationwide campaign to introduce America’s children to the importance
of voting and democracy. The website has activities and information geared
specifically to elementary through high school students and parents as well.
Take Your Kids to vote is a collaborative effort of The Partnership for Trust
in Government, in cooperation with the Council for Excellence in Government,
Kids Voting USA, and Working Mother magazine.
The Surf It feature offers links to sites about voting, elections, and
democracy for elementary
students ,
middle
school ,
and high
school
students.
Kids
Voting USA
Kids Voting Ohio/Southwestern promotes responsible citizenship and encourages
students to be informed lifelong voters. They offer online resources for parents
and kids
,
as well as educators
.
Books for Children:
The Ballot Box Battle, by Emily Arnold McCully
Ages 5-8
Caldecott medallist Emily Arnold McCully creates an inspiring fictional story
of Cordelia, a young girl whose relationship with her neighbor, the great
suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, inspires her to a remarkable act of courage.
Dragonfly Books, 1998.
The Day Gogo Went to Vote, by Elinor Batezat Sisulu
Ages 4-8
In this Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner Thembi accompanies her hundred-year-old
grandmother to the polling place in the first election in which black South
Africans are allowed to vote. Her grandmother is infirm and housebound, but
her determination and a little help from her community enable for to vote
for the first time in her life. Megan Tingley, 1999.
Get Real #6: Girl Reporter Rocks Polls, by Linda Ellerbee
Ages 9-12
Why do popular kids always get elected? What would it take to make students
care about their vote? In the latest Let’s Get Real serial from award-winning
journalist Linda Ellerbee, Casey Smith is trying to add a little substance
to the Trumbull Middle School student council elections. Avon, 2000.
Granddaddy’s Gift, by Magaree King Mitchell
Ages 5-9
This book explains the complex social and political conditions of the pre-civil
rights American South in a way that children can understand. A young African-American
woman recalls her grandfather’s courage and wisdom in a memorable event
from her Mississippi childhood in the 1960s when he risked his safety to register
to vote. Awarded the International Reading Association Teacher’s Choice
Award. Troll Communications, 1998.
Presidential Elections: And Other Cool Facts, by Sylvan A. Sobel,
illustrated by Jill Wood.
Ages 7-12
An informative and fun-to-read book that outlines the legal requirements for
electing a president. Kids learn about practices for voter eligibility, the
Electoral College, and campaigning, in addition to fascinating facts about
presidents, vice presidents, and elections. Barron’s Educational Series,
2001.
The Voice of the People, by Betsey C. and Guilio Maestro
Ages 6 and up
Curious about how our leaders, from local mayors to U.S. President and Supreme
Court Justices, go about getting their jobs, and what are their jobs? Explore
what good citizens need to know about the workings of American democracy in
this primer that includes anecdotes and images to lend enjoyment and understanding
to this broad subject. HarperTrophy, 1998.
Children, Democracy and Unitarian Universalist
Faith
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