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Braddock Drive Elementary School
LAUSD, Local District D |
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Teacher - Celia Pettus, Grade 3
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| In my class we talked about democracy. We mostly discussed the voting process and how in a democratic government, the people make the decisions. We contemplated whether or not the classroom is a democracy (No!) and we discussed that. Then, I told the students to write a brief paragraph on whether or not their household is a democracy. |
R. B., Grade 3
My house is not a democracy. Why not? Because my mom makes the decisions. My mom is older and wiser, so she knows better. I’m still young, so my parents make the rules. My parents said when I get older and contribute to the household, I can voice my opinion. |
M. E., Grade 3
My house is not a democracy, because my sisters and I don’t make the decisions, only my dad and mom. My mom and dad make the decisions, because if we want to eat another thing we have to eat what my mom cooks. If we make the decisions, we will want lots of things. |
J. L., Grade 3
My house is a democracy, because I choose the food we’re going to eat and I choose the television we’re going to see. And I choose what we are going to drink.
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| Teacher - Christopher Yusi, Grade 5 |
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 The following paragraph is in response to a homework assignment to watch the presidential debates.
Chrystal, Grade 5
What I learned from this debate is that when I’m old enough, I’ll register to vote. I also learned if you don’t vote and something is wrong, you can’t complain. I also learned that you should vote because your vote counts for a better tomorrow, for a better today. Don’t forget if you have a chance to vote, do it. Don’t let the guy who will ruin something win. Vote!
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Journal Responses
Topic: Why do you think so many people do not vote? |
 Jonathan Ponce, Grade 5
I think people don’t vote because they think that their one vote is not very important. Of course, I’m going to vote when I’m older, because I think my vote might be the winning vote. It is important to me, because the more votes there are, the more exciting it gets. |
 Marisol Partida, Grade 5
I think that lots of people do not vote because they really don’t know what voting is all about, changing their city or changing their safety and their lives. I will vote when I am an adult. I will vote because I would like to make a change in my city and I will try to convince other people to vote.
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 Jesús Rubio, Grade 5
Some people do not vote because they are immigrants or because they are afraid. I will vote, because if I vote for someone who is going to keep this city clean then this will be the best city and I could live in the best city.
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Journal Responses
Topic: Some people say that the two primary Presidential candidates are too much alike in what they say and want to do. Do you see differences between them? For whom would you vote if you had to vote today? |
 Jessica Hernández, Grade 5
I do see some differences between the two candidates. The differences are that they have different thoughts about the future. One of them thinks about the rich and the other thinks about all of us. The candidate I like best is Al Gore. I like Al Gore because I believe he will make this country, a safe country where people would want to live. |
 Jocelyn Saucedo, Grade 5
I do see differences between each candidate. The differences are that one candidate is fighting to give rich people respect, but the other candidate is fighting for poor and rich people and even middle people. The candidate I like the most is Al Gore. I will vote for Al Gore [in the Youth-e-Vote election] because I like the way he thinks, the way he feels about being president and for once I think he will make a great president. I don’t want this country to get messed up.
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| In response to Youth-e-Vote |
Jesús Rubio, Grade 5
The election is coming up and I already gave my opinion of who should win. I voted on the internet. I was proud. |
Jocelyn Saucedo, Grade 5
I am excited, because I think that if we vote for one candidate, I think the other adults would vote for the candidate we vote for, because kids are pretty smart. Some grown-ups think that we’re not hearing, but we are so I think it’s a good idea that we are voting. I hope the candidate I vote for wins, because I think he is a great candidate. |
Jordan Perea, Grade 5
I think George W. Bush is going to win the election, because in the two debates Bush looked more comfortable and he looked like he knows what he is doing. Plus, he is liked by most of the people. He is going to win, because Bush was the governor of Texas and all of the people in Texas are going to vote for him, because he helped them. Now they are going to help him by voting for him. My favorite candidate is Ralph Nader, because I think if people believed in him. He will do all of those things you want and I think he is trustworthy. |
 Oscar Jiménez, Grade 5
I do see a difference between the candidates. The difference is that one is democrat and the other one is a republican. I am going to vote for Al Gore, because he is going to help the construction worker and my dad is one of those. |
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