In Woodbury, Seeing Democracy In Action

Paul Krumrie’s civics class is somewhat different from a typical government course in which students learn about the branches of government.

It stresses the importance of the democratic process and being involved in the world in general, he said.

, the teacher brought eighth-grade students to the school gym to see how the voting process works.

“They see that they’re going to be part of it someday,” Krumrie said. “They learn about the Bill of Rights, but they see that there are responsibilities that go with those rights.”

During elections, students often tour the polling area at the school, said Krumrie, who has taught at Lake Middle since it opened.

Election judges on Tuesday told students about the city’s three school districts, how to register, how to vote and other particulars of the process.

It’s around eighth grade that students start becoming more interested in the political process, Krumrie said. Students range from knowing very little about politics to those who clearly see its impact in their future, he said.

At the end of the tour, each student got their own “I Voted” sticker, “which they’re really excited about,” Krumrie said.