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.
Resources
9Subject
- Civics & Citizenship
- History
Grade
8–12Language
English — USPublished
Updated
About This Collection
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.
What’s Included
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
Defining Democracy
Students brainstorm different definitions of democracy and consider democracy's relationship to their own communities and cultures.
Free Press Makes Democracy Work
Students explore the importance of a free press to democracy through recorded conversations with journalists from the United States and South Africa.
Citizen Power Makes Democracy Work
Students explore citizenship, power, and responsibility using the work of civic entrepreneur Eric Liu.
Insights on Democracy from South Africa
Students consider how South Africa's particular history and culture influence the ways its citizens understand and practice democracy.
Taking Ownership of the Law
Students learn about Mum Bett and Quock Walker, who successfully sued for their freedom, and reflect on what their stories illuminate about democracy today.
Responding to Difference in Democracy
Students explore the varied ways people respond to differences by reading and reflecting on a poem.
Reflection and Action for Civic Participation
Students consider the importance of young people in democracy and analyze stories of civic participation using a ten-question framework.
Literature and Imagination Make Democracy Work
Students explore the connection between literature, imagination, and democracy by engaging with the work of acclaimed author Azar Nafisi.
Sam Fleming and Judith February on a Free Press
Journalists Sam Fleming and Judith February discuss the importance of a free press to democracy.
Eric Liu on Citizen Power
Civic entrepreneur Eric Liu discusses how citizens learn to use their power to make positive change.
Roy Hellenberg and Dylan Wray on Democracy
South African educators Roy Hellenberg and Dylan Wray discuss democracy outside of a western context, connecting it to the idea of ubuntu.
Ben Railton on the Freeman and Walker Cases
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.
Eboo Patel on Collaborating across Differences
Interfaith leader Eboo Patel talks about what it takes to build a healthy, religiously diverse democracy.
Danielle Allen on Youth in Democracy
Political philosopher Danielle Allen explains why listening to the voices of young people is essential to the democratic process.
Azar Nafisi on Literature and Democracy
Author Azar Nafisi discusses the essential role of fiction in democratic societies.
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Assessing the Strength of Democracy in the United States
This mini-lesson provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of democracy and reflect on the strength of our democracy.
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10 Questions for Young Changemakers
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 Ferguson: News Literacy in a Digital Age
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.
Confronting Apartheid
Examine how South Africans grappled with their history, from early interactions with white European settlers, resistance to the imposed apartheid regime, and a long struggle for democracy.
Current Events Toolkit
This toolkit provides flexible and adaptable tools and strategies for integrating current events into your teaching.
What Happened During the Insurrection at the US Capitol and Why?
This mini-lesson guides students to use an iceberg diagram to synthesize the events of January 6, 2021, and outline the complex array of causes at work.
Youth Taking Charge! Placing Student Activism in Historical Context
Use this mini-lesson to explore the rich history of youth activism from the 1960s to present day.
Voting Rights in the United States
In this mini-lesson, students learn about the history of voting rights in the United States and consider how current voting laws in different states impact voters today.
Preparing Students for Difficult Conversations
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.
Social Media and Ferguson
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.
Verifying Breaking News
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.
Reflecting on George Floyd’s Death and Police Violence Towards Black Americans
This mini-lesson is a guide for teachers to begin conversations with their students about George Floyd’s death and the events that surround it.
Responding to The Tree of Life Shooting in Pittsburgh
The mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue capped off a week of hate crimes and political violence in the United States. This mini-lesson help teachers and students process the events and reflect on what they mean for them and their communities.
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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.
Exploring ELA Text Selection with Julia Torres
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.
Working for Justice, Equity and Civic Agency in Our Schools: A Conversation with Clint Smith
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to writer and educator Dr. Clint Smith as he shares his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.
Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
On-Demand
Virtual
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.
Most teachers are willing to tackle the difficult topics, but we need the tools.
—
Gabriela Calderon-Espinal, Bay Shore, NY
