Foundations of Democracy Lesson Plans

Students examine the voting process.  In this democracy instructional activity, students watch a video about the history of voting rights, discuss voting concerns of young voters, learn how to register to vote and hold a mock election.

Young scholars explore the facets of democracy. For this civic responsibility lesson, students create a definition of democracy and discuss the difference between a spectator and a participatory citizen. Young scholars discuss whose responsibility it is to improve government and protect the rights of the people. Students work in groups to learn about civil society, civic responsibility, patriotism, advocacy and right to petition the government. They then present these ideas to the class.

Students consider the success of democracies in Eastern Europe. In this government systems lesson, students research the implementation of democratic practices and rule in the countries of Eastern Europe following the Cold War. Students also discuss and rank the characteristics of democracies.

Learners examine the thoughts and ideas that were the foundation of our unique democracy. For this Democratic government lesson, students will become acquainted with the origins and fundamentals of the US Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution. This lesson includes worksheets, assessment tests, and a rubric.

Twelfth graders discuss the probability of imposing a democracy in a country in which there is no history of this type of government being successful. Using the internet, they work together to research Japan's experience with democracy and the challenges it faced doing so. They also compare and contrast the United States Constitution with the Japanese Constitution.

Students define democracy and analyze the conditions needed for democracy to flourish. Students research governments in the Middle East to determine how and if they have any form of democracy within their government.

Students explore democracy as it is practiced in different governments. Through Internet research, they investigate democracy around the world. Students compare and contrast democracies as well as other forms of government. They discuss the way our form of government affects our daily lives.

Students investigate the government structure found in ancient Rome. They define the term democracy and how it works in a republican form of government. Students identify and describe the plebians, patricians, and slaves as part of the government or social structure.

Students read a USA Today article about U.S. democracy and then complete questions about the topic. In this democracy lesson, students read the article 'New Citizen Exam is Democracy 101.' Students learn about the test for U.S. citizenship and answer questions about the article.

Students examine democratic values. In this democracy lesson plan, students research the political systems of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in order to compare and contrast them. Students also discuss domestic and international events affecting the 3 nations.