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

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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.

Mini-Lesson

This Teaching Idea on the Capitol insurrection invites students to reflect on how seemingly small choices made by individuals can contribute to larger acts of injustice and violence.

Mini-Lesson

This Mini-Lesson invites students to explore how their actions and the actions of their leaders can help promote the common good in a time of crisis.

Demonstrators stand in a crosswalk to protest climate change.

Lesson

Use this lesson to help your students understand more about the origins of race as a socially constructed concept and racism as a force that shapes society.

Lesson

Use this lesson when your students are engaging with a text that contains racist and dehumanising language.

Uniformed high school students write at their desks.

Lesson

Use this lesson to help your students explore the impact of racism in the UK and what can be done to challenge it.

Uniformed school students complete assignments at their desks.

Assessment

Students participate in a people's assembly centered on the question, how might we challenge all types of racism in the UK so that everyone can thrive?

Unit

This unit is designed to help teachers have conversations about race with their students in a safe, sensitive, and constructive way.

Collection

Use these resources on voting, media literacy, polarization, and bias to talk about US elections with your high school and middle school students.

Abstract red, white, and blue painting with thick brush strokes.

Toolkit

This toolkit provides flexible and adaptable tools and strategies for integrating current events into your teaching.

Collection

Explore classroom resources for making connections between current events and your curriculum, including activities and discussion strategies for high school and middle school students.

Collection

This page is designed for educators using our guide From Reflection to Action: A Choosing to Participate Toolkit. Gathered here are all of the teaching strategies and additional online-resources referenced throughout the guide.

From Reflection to Action: A Choosing to Participate Toolkit Cover

Collection

Explore resources that meet the California History–Social Science Framework standards.

Four students sit in a circle in conversation. The student in the center speaks with their hands raised.

More Like This Teaching Resources Learning & Events

Facing History and 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.

Professional Learning

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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

Professional Learning

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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.

Professional Learning

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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?