Overview

 

Democracy in Action
GRADE LEVEL(S)
Upper elementary to middle school 

TIMEFRAME
 3 one-day lessons plus 1 summative assessment

ALIGNMENTS 

TEXTS/MATERIALS
We The People
  • Unit 6: What Challenges Might Face American Constitutional Democracy in the Twenty-first Century? (Level 3)
  • Unit 5: What are the responsibilities of a citizen? (Level 1)

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework 

  • D2.Civ.1.6-8. Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.
  • D2.Civ.2.6-8. Explain specific roles played by citizens

Educating for American Democracy Roadmap

Theme 1: Civic Participation

  • HDQ: How did past generations of Americans understand and answer calls to civic duty in civil society, religious communities, and politics?
  • CDQ: What are the opportunities and responsibilities of citizenship and civic agency in the 21st century?

Theme 6: A People in the World

  • HDQ: How and why has the United States acquired its power and influence in the world?

COMPELLING QUESTION
 Should every citizen be required to participate in our democracy?

SUPPORTING QUESTION(S)
 
  • Is voting a duty or responsibility?
  • Should voting be compulsory in the United States?
  • Are voter registration and the act of voting accessible to all?

LESSON OBJECTIVE 

VOCABULARY
  • explain the critical role voting plays in our democracy 
  • examine the pros and cons of compulsory voting
  • identify voter suppression and other obstacles faced by some voters
  • duty: an action required; a moral or legal obligation
  • responsibility: something you are expected to do
  • voter turnout: the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election
  • compulsory: required by law; mandatory
  • voter suppression: a strategy to reduce voting, or voter registration, by members of a targeted racial group, political party, or religious community

TEACHER BACKGROUND

A Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Education survey reveals that “youth who reported having been either encouraged to vote or taught how to register to vote in high school are more likely to vote and participate in other civic activities, more knowledgeable about voting processes, and more invested in and attentive…than other youth.” Imagine the impact of exposing elementary students to h civic education will have on future voters. This inquiry allows students to evaluate the importance citizen participation plays in our democracy. Teachers should understand the responsibility of voting for citizens and its direct impact on our democracy. Teachers can find additional background support resources as follows:


 

SEL FOCUS
 Students will develop their responsible decision-making by identifying problems, analyzing situations, solving problems, and reflection.

ASSESS & AUTHENTICALLY ENGAGE
  • Students demonstrate their understanding of the importance of voting and civic participation in a democracy by observing student responses to the Top 5 Citizen Participation Infographic. Teachers may assess by using the assessment rubric.
  • Students will participate in self-reflection by completing the Inquiry Reflection Tool.
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