TEMECULA -- A big challenge many second-grade teachers face is explaining to their young pupils about governmental institutions and practices -- topics that educators must teach as part of the state's academic standards, said Abby Reinke Elementary School teacher Patrick Yorke.

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It's just an abstract concept for second-graders, he said.

But Yorke, in teaming up with the mother of one of his second-grade students, said the two of them have found a way to enable students to really understand the concept of a representative democracy.

On Thursday, he conducted a "Room 38 Classroom Council meeting," run by four students who were elected to the council by the other students in his class several weeks ago. That election process was part of the lessons leading to Thursday's meeting.

Temecula Mayor Chuck Washington volunteered his time to lead the classroom council as its honorary mayor.

"Your parents elected a City Council," he said. "We do exactly what you are doing right now."

The classroom agenda included discussion items such as obtaining more playground equipment, buying new glue bottles and adopting stricter punishments for students who break pencils.

Washington led the meeting, and engaged the students in typical council functions.

He had the two students serving as clerks "certify" the classroom election results, then helped the clerks "swear in" the four student council members. He led them in a flag salute, and even read a classroom proclamation declaring March 15 "Leaders of Tomorrow Day."

"It's always good to start off the meeting with a proclamation," Washington told the students.

During the public comment part of the meeting, students not elected to the classroom council stepped up to a homemade podium and voiced concerns they had.

Ryan Darrow, 7, called for more books at the Temecula Public Library. Sierra Money, 8, wanted a better dog park. Cody Alexander, 7, sought an end to all pollution "because it is killing the animals."

The classroom council also took several votes, including to purchase more books, create a better dog park and end pollution. The council also hired a police chief, student Myles Ferguson, and agreed to accept a $100 donation from the city of Temecula to purchase a classroom pet.

Students learned the hard reality of government life when they wanted to spend some of that $100 on fixing their glue bottles. Washington explained to them that when money is allocated for a certain project, then all that cash must only be spent on that particular expense and nothing else.

The council classroom project was developed by Lisa Ferguson, Myles' mother. She said she created the idea based on similar concepts for older students, and approached Yorke to that end.

"I think it's a great opportunity for kids to learn about their local government, and government in general, and a terrific opportunity to have fun while learning," Ferguson said.

Thirteen of the 19 students in the class had run for a classroom council position. One of those elected was Rylie Pereira, 8.

"I thought there were a few rules we should make, and I wanted to help make them," she said.

Ferguson said she doesn't believe students who lost the election were too concerned over it.

"I think it's healthy for them to learn reality," she said.

Cody said he didn't care that he lost the election, that the whole process had been "really cool."

"It helped me learn that when people don't like something, other people can change things," he said.

- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.