PART 1: The Classroom Issue Referendum
PART 2: The Community Meeting
PART 3: Writing the Newspaper
PART 4: The Class Newfoundland Referendum
PART 5: Creating the Class Timeline Display
PART 6: Closure

Voting Time at Canadiana School

Not so long ago, in a fascinating community, there was a class of 30 Canadian students. They were in Class A-1. Some of them were male; some were female. Some of them were child-like; some were more mature. Some of them had straight hair; some had curly hair. Some had lots of hair; some had very little hair. But they all worked together to learn.

One day their teacher gave the students a notice from the principal. The notice read:

We have noticed that many students in Class A-1 have untidy hair. This presents a poor image of our school, and may also contribute to hygiene problems. We would like to solve these problems by requiring that all students and teachers in Class A-1 wear hairnets while on school property.

We realize that some people will be unhappy with this requirement. Therefore, a referendum will be held to decide the issue. The people who will be affected will have a chance to vote on whether or not hairnets will be worn. If a majority turns down the proposal, it will not become a rule.

Here are the rules for the referendum:

  • Speakers will present arguments for and against wearing hairnets in school.
  • The referendum vote will be held in the gym at 2 p.m. on Friday.
  • All students and teachers in Class A-1 have the right to vote.
  • A majority vote will decide the issue.
  • The referendum results will be announced on Friday at 4 p.m.
I. M. Balding Principal

The students were amazed and angry as they left the building after reading the notice. How ridiculous, wearing hairnets! What a joke! How stupid! They knew they needed more information.

The next morning many students came to school with questions on their minds. "What exactly is a referendum?" they wondered. "How is it different from just voting in an election? It is a vote, after all."

A class discussion and some research helped to provide information. The students learned that governments sometimes put proposed laws to a direct vote by the people. Instead of asking Members of Parliament or other elected representatives to vote, the governing bodies ask the people directly, through a referendum. Some students knew of examples of such votes in Canadian history. Students learned that a vote in a referendum gives everyone a chance to participate in making a law that will affect each of them.

On Thursday and Friday morning, panelists from the School Board, Parents Group and Health Department presented their arguments for a YES vote on the referendum issue. They wanted hairnets. Panelists from the Human Rights Commission, Student Council, Parents Group and school staff presented their reasons for supporting a NO vote. Members of Class A-1 spent time discussing and thinking about the arguments on both sides of the question.

Friday afternoon arrived. Each student in Class A-1 had to show proper identification and was then given a ballot. Each voter entered a polling booth and read the ballot.

The statement on the ballot was:

It was time to make a decision. Using al pencil to mark an X, each student carried out one of the most cherished rights of all Canadians, the right to vote. This was democracy in action.

At 4 o'clock Principal Balding announced the referendum results.

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