Preserving Democracy

Overview

In this lesson students examine how citizens can help preserve our representative democracy. Students create a skit for a television commercial that encourages citizens to become actively engaged in our government.

Grade Levels

5 – 8

Objectives

Students will:

• discuss the essential ideas of American government that are expressed in the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution;
• explain why citizen participation is important in a representative democracy; and
• create a skit for a television commercial that encourages citizens to be civically engaged.

Estimated Time

1 week

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Getting Involved
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device
• Chalk and chalkboard or a marker and whiteboard

Procedure

1. Distribute one copy of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to each student. Have students read the Declaration of Independence, Preamble to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Discuss the essential ideas of American government that are expressed in these documents.
2. Explain to students that most people agree that citizens have a duty to help preserve our representative democracy. Ask students to name some ways citizens can do this.
3. Explain to students that over the years the number of people who are civically engaged has declined. Show students the videos located under "Youth Involvement" in the Getting Involved E-Learning module. Discuss the importance of citizen participation in a representative democracy. Have students explain the consequences of not voting or keeping in touch with your representatives.
4. Divide the class into four groups. Have each group create a skit for a television commercial that encourages citizens to become actively engaged in our government. This commercial skit should be approximately 30 seconds long, briefly describe some essential characteristics of our representative democracy, explain that becoming involved in our government will help preserve our representative democracy, and list some things citizens can do to become involved.
5. Allow students to perform their skit in front of the class.

Extension Activity

Have students interview two adults and ask them if they think they are good citizens. Students should ask the adults to explain their answers.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Describe the essential ideas of American government that are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble of the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
2. Explain why citizen participation is important in a representative democracy.

Scoring Guide for Informational Brochure

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Students speak clearly and at a good pace	10
The commercial is approximately 30 seconds long	5
The commercial is well organized	10
Briefly describes some essential characteristics of our representative democracy	25
Explains that becoming involved in our government will help preserve our representative democracy	25
Lists some things citizens can do to become involved	25

Lesson Plan Feedback

If you have suggestions for improving this lesson plan, or if you have ideas for others using the module, please let us know. We value your input. Thank you!

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