In a creative twist on teaching the electoral process, a fifth-grade teacher in San Antonio has enlisted the help of two bearded dragons to engage her students in a mock election. By personifying the reptiles and giving them distinct campaign platforms, Danielle Salgado has found a way to make the complex topic of elections accessible and exciting for her young learners.

Bringing Civics to Life Through Reptilian Rivals

Charizard vs. Eevee: A Scaly Showdown

Salgado's innovative approach involves two bearded dragons, Charizard and Eevee, who are "running" against each other for the title of "school master pet." Each reptile has its own campaign slogan, theme song, and unique personality traits that the students must consider as they cast their votes. Charizard's slogan, "Never Back Down, Never Give Up Crickets," reflects his bold and determined nature, while Eevee's "Girl on Fire" theme taps into her adventurous and fun-loving spirit.The students have fully embraced their roles as campaign managers and voters, using their persuasive writing and artistic skills to advocate for their preferred dragon. They have even created custom voting registration cards to add an extra layer of authenticity to the process. As Angel, one of the dragon caretakers, explains, "It was cool whenever I heard that he (Charizard) was going to be in the election. I learned about voting. I learned that you have a say, and it's tied to something."

Cutting Through the Clutter with Creativity

Salgado's decision to use the bearded dragons as a teaching tool was a strategic one, born out of the challenges of navigating the current political landscape with her young students. "From the sheer amount of malicious and sometimes false information that is hard enough for grown-ups to sort through, let alone a kid, Salgado could have settled and talked about the textbook definition of an election," the article notes. Instead, she chose to create a fun and engaging way to cut through the political clutter and help her students understand the voting process.By focusing on the positive aspects of the election and avoiding the negativity that often dominates the discourse, Salgado has fostered an environment where her students can learn and explore the topic without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. As Jayleen, the other dragon caretaker, shares, "It's been way more better with pets. I didn't know much about elections, and although it was difficult to learn, I liked it because it was something new."

Inspiring a New Generation of Engaged Citizens

Salgado's innovative approach to teaching the electoral process has not only captured the attention of her students but also the broader community. City Year Team Leader Nicholas Sandoval, who helped create the custom voting registration cards, expressed his admiration for Salgado's idea, stating, "It gives kids the chance to learn something new that they don't have a lot of exposure to because they just watch the news and see stuff about elections. I never had anything like this when I was a kid."The impact of Salgado's lesson extends beyond the classroom, as she recognizes the importance of engaging young, underrepresented voters. "If we can get seven and eight-year-olds excited about bearded dragons running, I think you can get any child excited about voting," she said, highlighting the potential to inspire a new generation of engaged citizens.As the students eagerly await the results of the bearded dragon election on Election Day, Salgado's innovative approach has not only taught them about the electoral process but has also fostered a sense of excitement and ownership over their civic responsibilities. By using the relatable and captivating personalities of Charizard and Eevee, she has found a way to make the complex world of politics accessible and engaging for her young learners, setting the stage for a lifetime of civic engagement.