STUDENT VOTE BEST PRACTICES

#1 – Start with the basics Make sure students have an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the levels of government in Canada. It is the foundation for researching and debating the issues of the campaign.

#2 – Incorporate news consumption and media literacy every day It takes 21 days to build a habit. Let’s promote newspaper readership and media consumption. Encourage students to consume multiple sources and help them develop their critical thinking skills.

#3 – Explore issues that matter to your students Facilitate research into the issues that matter most to your students. Help them realize that government influences their lives. As a class, compare the candidate’s policy ideas or party platforms of your students’ top issues.

#4 – Engage the candidates Give students a chance to get to know their candidates. Organize a friendly all-candidates forum, invite the candidates in for a one-on-one visit, email them questions from students, or engage with them through social media.

#5 – Fuel political discussion at home Find ways to encourage democracy at the dinner table through take-home activities. Provide an opportunity for students to ‘teach’ their parents, guardians or older siblings about the voting process.

#6 – Involve your colleagues Developing the skills of citizenship is the purpose of schools — it's not just a social studies objective. Encourage your colleagues to get their students involved in Student Vote.

#7 – Engage local media and give your students a voice Reach out to local media and invite them to track your school’s involvement in the election. Media coverage makes students feel that their opinions are valued and their participation is important.

#8 – Use social media Exciting and real-time election coverage is available on social media. Create a classroom Twitter or Facebook account and track the parties, candidates and journalists, and engage with them.

#9 – Ensure students get the full election experience Create an election team with your students. Give as many students as possible a hands-on role promoting or coordinating Student Vote.

#10 – Make Student Vote Day fun! Election day is an exciting day. Give your students an experience they will remember. Dress it up, make it fun, and celebrate our democratic rights and freedoms.

Discussion Questions How was Student Vote organized at your school? What are your best practices? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? 20

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