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Storybook Characters Compete For 'President' In Classroom

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By SUZANNE M SCHMIDT

In The Loop

Published: November 1, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - If Lake Myrtle Elementary School students had their way, the next president would be a character from a storybook ... maybe someone like Nancy Drew.

In an effort to teach second- and third-graders on the Flamingo team about the election, instructors asked students to read books about what makes a good president. The students were then asked to read any book they wanted and to select a character they thought would make a good president. The young learners also had to make posters describing the traits their characters possess that would make them good choices for president.

To increase the learning opportunities the project presented, teachers also asked the students to stump for their candidates by giving presentations to classmates. The finale for the project will be an election in each of the Flamingo team's four classes during which the new "presidents" will be selected.

"This is just a fun way for students to learn about the election," said teacher JoAnn McDougall, who introduced the project to the Flamingo team. "This project correlates with what is going on in real life, which I think helps them make a real connection."

The idea for the project came from a teacher at Trinity Oaks Elementary School in New Port Richey. When McDougall learned what fourth-graders there were doing, she decided to borrow the idea and scale it down for her second- and third-grade team.

Alexia Fotopoulos said she chose Nancy Drew as her candidate because Nancy is helpful, organized, pays attention to details, always tries her best, is independent and is a good leader.

"Vote for Nancy Drew, it is the best choice for you," Fotopoulos said as she handed out cookies to her fellow classmates. "Nancy Drew is brave because she stands up for what is right. I think she is the best candidate because she is nice and she can help everybody."

Brandon Dufrene chose Captain Underpants to be his candidate because he has more than a good sense of humor.

"I think Captain Underpants is a good candidate because if there is an emergency and people are fighting, he can stop it," Dufrene said. "Also he is strong, silly, protective and he can solve problems."

Even though the vote is down to Nancy Drew and Captain Underpants, many other candidates were up for consideration, including Amelia Bedelia, Scooby Doo, Bambi, Junie B. Jones, Sulley from Monsters Inc., Peter Pan and Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Once the winning candidate is selected, the candidate will be sworn into office and the students will get to have a small party.

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