Resource

What is Democracy?

What is democracy? How does it work? And why is it important to your students?

Overview

This resource pack is the first of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the concept of democracy. Each of the packs can be delivered independently of each other, or combined together to form a broader scheme of work.

Students consider what a democracy is, why it is important and how it impacts their day-to-day lives. Through taking part students will be able to answer key questions such as:

  • What does democracy mean?
  • What are the key features of a democratic country?
  • How has democracy evolved throughout history and how might it continue to evolve?
  • What are the key features of UK Parliament?
  • How does Parliament differ from the Government?

 

How does the pack work?

Each pack can be delivered in a number of different ways depending on the time you have available:

  • Use all the content to deliver a drop-down day on democracy;
  • Pick and choose the activities you want to focus on and use these to build individual lessons;
  • Where full lessons are not available each activity is further broken down into 5-15 minute segments, perfect for tutor-time;

The accompanying PowerPoint covers all the key learning points from the pack and could be used as the activities are being delivered. Alternatively, it provides a perfect introductory assembly to what a democracy is.

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

COVID and the Economy

During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Cancer – Early Detection and Prevention

This lesson has been designed in response to the Big Vote, where children voted on what issues they most cared about. The vote was to mark the ten year anniversary…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock G7 Pack

The UK hosted the G7 Summit in June 2021. Young Citizens wants to engage young people across the UK...

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Be Your Own Councillor

Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...

Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Brexit: Part 2 – Negotiations

Through the example of Brexit talks, this lesson introduces pupils to the concept of negotiation and the skills required to succeed in negotiations. Activities are designed to give pupils the…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

An Introduction to Human Rights

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is a Digital Citizen?

In the delivery of this resource your students will explore what is meant by the term ‘digital citizen’. They...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

What Happens When Rules are Broken?

Pupils consider what happens when rules are broken. They explore what consequences are, how we can ensure that consequences are fair and what information someone might need to have before…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Relationships and the Law

During this lesson pupils explore the concept of marriage and civil partnerships focusing on the fact that they are a legal commitment between two people and what this means. Pupils…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Filter Bubbles: Tell Me What I Want To Hear

A “filter bubble” describes how algorithms limit and skew the information users see on the internet. In this lesson,...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Myths (SmartLaw Subscription)

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity or as an extension activity as part of a mock trial…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Crime and its Impact (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical and emotional ripples that crime can have on a community. Please…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Ethics, Innovation and the Law

Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will: Explore the way technology is developing and the impacts this has...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Filter Bubbles: Tell Me What I Want To Hear

A “filter bubble” describes how algorithms limit and skew the information users see on the internet. In this lesson,...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Sexting and the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Social Media and the Law (KS4) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are  committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of these offences. Finally, students…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Myths (SmartLaw Subscription)

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity...

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How to share learning with your peers

Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...