Tapestry of Faith: Faithful Journeys: A Program about Pilgrimages of Faith in Action for Grades 2-3

Alternate Activity 1: Democratic Decision Making

Activity time: 20 minutes

Preparation for Activity

  • Select a topic for discussion and voting.

Description of Activity

Use of the democratic process is part of the fifth Principle, the center of this session. Children can practice the democratic process by holding a debate and voting on a matter that interests them. Offer a topic on which they have power to make a decision, rather than an abstract question such as "Do dogs or cats make better pets?" Possible topics might be the next cause or project for the Faithful Journeys Action Club (created in Session 4), the snacks that should be served during religious education time, or how the group should spend a ten-minute play time.

Variation

If an election or ballot measure is currently of keen interest to many in your community, you may wish to share information on the issue with the children. Lead them to discuss what stand they would take. Vote on the issue after the discussion. While children's votes do not count in such elections, the voting exercise will engage them in a democratic process. To conclude this activity, empower the children to share their informed opinions with adults whose vote will count. Tell them that advocating for the side you think has more merit is part of the democratic process.