A magnifying glass over the definition of democracy in a dictionary.

Collection

What Makes Democracy Work?

Explore this collection of lesson plans that cover a wide range of themes related to democracy, including citizen power and civic participation, the rule of law, the role of a free press, and more.

Published: August 7, 2019

Last Updated: September 30, 2020

Collection

Language

English — US

Subject

Civics & Citizenship
History

Grade

8–12

Democracy & Civic Engagement

Overview

In today’s world, political and social tensions, eroding trust in institutions, and rising incidents of hatred and bigotry make it more essential than ever to reflect on the importance of democracy and the choices and institutions that help it function. Use this collection of lessons, audio interviews, and blog posts to teach your students about the fundamentals of democracy and the importance of engaged citizenship.

The lessons in this collection explore a wide range of themes related to democracy, including: citizen power and civic participation, the rule of law, the role of a free press, and more. Many lessons feature audio interview clips and optional extensions.

This collection is designed to be flexible. You can use all of the resources or choose a selection best suited to your classroom. It includes:

9 lessons
8 audio recordings

Inside this Collection

Lesson

Students brainstorm different definitions of democracy and consider democracy's relationship to their own communities and cultures.

Lesson

Students explore the importance of a free press to democracy through recorded conversations with journalists from the United States and South Africa.

Lesson

Students explore citizenship, power, and responsibility using the work of civic entrepreneur Eric Liu.

Lesson

Students consider how South Africa's particular history and culture influence the ways its citizens understand and practice democracy.

A bird’s eye view of students sitting at tables in a library.

Lesson

Students learn about Mum Bett and Quock Walker, who successfully sued for their freedom, and reflect on what their stories illuminate about democracy today.

Many students sitting around a table looking at the teacher.

Lesson

Students explore the varied ways people respond to differences by reading and reflecting on a poem.

Lesson

Students consider the importance of young people in democracy and analyze stories of civic participation using a ten-question framework.

Lesson

Students explore the connection between literature, imagination, and democracy by engaging with the work of acclaimed author Azar Nafisi.

A sitting teacher speaks to three students while holding a book.

Lesson

Students explore what it means to respect the rule of law and consider its importance in a democracy.

Audio

Journalists Sam Fleming and Judith February discuss the importance of a free press to democracy.

A colorful pile of newspapers on a table.

Audio

Civic entrepreneur Eric Liu discusses how citizens learn to use their power to make positive change.

Audio

South African educators Roy Hellenberg and Dylan Wray discuss democracy outside of a western context, connecting it to the idea of ubuntu.

South Africa flag waving during the sunrise with mist fog.

Audio

Professor Ben Railton shares the stories of Elizabeth Freeman and Quock Walker, two enslaved people who successfully sued for their freedom in the early years of the American republic.

Mum Bett, aka Elizabeth Freeman, aged 70. Painted by Susan Ridley Sedgwick, aged 23. Watercolor on ivory, painted circa 1812.

Audio

Interfaith leader Eboo Patel talks about what it takes to build a healthy, religiously diverse democracy.

Audio

Political philosopher Danielle Allen explains why listening to the voices of young people is essential to the democratic process.

A student speaks while another listens attentively.

Audio

Author Azar Nafisi discusses the essential role of fiction in democratic societies.

Audio

Political scientist John Carey discusses the importance of the rule of law in making democracy work.

Lesson

Students identify strategies and tools that Parkland students have used to influence Americans to take action to reduce gun violence.

Millbrook High School students demonstrate against gun violence outside their school in Frederick County, Va., Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, following a school shooting in which over a dozen people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., one week ago. (Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star via AP)

Lesson

Students explore the potential negative impact of images through the social media protest #IfTheyGunnedMeDown and develop a decision-making process for choosing imagery to represent controversial events.

National President of Black Lawyers for Justice, carries a picture of Michael Brown as he leads demonstrators on a march.

Lesson

Students explore how identity impacts our responses to other people and events by examining a cartoon and analyzing an opinion poll from a week after Ferguson.

Lesson

Students examine how identity and biases can impact how individuals interpret images and experience the challenge of selecting images to represent news events, particularly connected to sensitive issues.

People hold hands in prayer in the parking lot of convenience store that was looted and burned after Michael Brown was shot by police in Ferguson, Mo.

Lesson

Students establish a safe space for holding sensitive conversations, before introducing the events surrounding Ferguson, by acknowledging people's complicated feelings about race and creating a classroom contract.

Lesson

Students explore the role of social media in Ferguson, apply information verification strategies to social media posts, and develop strategies for becoming critical consumers and sharers of social media.

Peaceful demonstrators gather in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death.

Lesson

Students begin thinking about civic engagement in terms of their own passions and identities as they are introduced to the 10 Questions Framework.

High school students participate in class.

Unit

This unit uses the 10 Questions Framework to explore two examples of youth activism: the 1963 Chicago schools boycott and the present-day movement against gun violence launched by Parkland students.

Facing History and Ourselves Bullying Summit September 29th 2012 in Los Angeles CA

Lesson

Students evaluate the differences among news accounts about Ferguson, develop strategies for verifying news and information, and understand the challenges facing journalists as they cover complex, fast-moving events.

Unit

Help students become informed and effective civic participants in today's digital landscape. This unit is designed to develop students' critical thinking, news literacy, civic engagement, and social-emotional skills and competencies.

Peaceful protestor speaks to police officer in Ferguson.

Lesson

Students review the First Amendment, understand the importance of a free press, and consider how that freedom can conflict with other societal needs through journalists’ experiences in Ferguson.

Newspaper front page featuring story about protests and police in Ferguson.

Lesson

Students identify the responsibilities of citizen watchdogs, summarize strategies for combatting confirmation bias and responsibly consuming and sharing news and information, and complete a culminating essay.

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Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.

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Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.

Three students at table, working on a project

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Issues of equity and education have long existed in our country and continue to manifest today. How can writing and the power of one's voice help us respond to these disparities? Listen to writer and educator, Dr. Clint Smith, where we hear his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.

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Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.

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The resources I’m getting from my colleagues through Facing History have been just invaluable.

— Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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What Makes Democracy Work?