Democracy is yours

• Citizenship
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Introduction

Equal rights, freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted. The Second World War and the Holocaust teach us that democracy and the rule of law are indispensable for a peaceful society. It is important that we learn from this history.In this interactive method, pupils or students learn about the concept of democracy using an animated video. They experience how democracy affects their daily lives and discover how they too can contribute to protecting democracy. The short animation is inspired by the book 'On Tyranny' by history professor Timothy Snyder. The working method also contains a video in which a young person talks about what democracy means to him. His story is the starting point for a classroom discussion in which you explore the value of democracy with your students.

Instructions

Tip: Watch the video yourself first and decide if you will need to pause it during the lesson for explanations.

Democracy is yours

Introducing the topic

Try analysing the lesson title as a warm-up exercise with the students: is democracy actually yours?

Let's talk about democracy

This slide offers pupils a short description of the lesson.

You could begin by getting students to analyse the image. What might that image have to do with democracy?

In the wrap-up discussion highlight key phrases such as freedom of expression, the right to protest, rights and duties, differences of opinion.

What do you already know about democracy?

Mind map

This interactive exercise gets students to think individually about what they already know about democracy. This activates their prior knowledge.

Discuss the words briefly. Ask students to explain words and expand on them a little.

Start the interactive video about democracy. It will stop at intervals for interactive questions.

Don’t forget to turn the sound on.

00:46

In a democracy …

1. everyone is free and equal
2. the same laws don’t apply to everyone
3. you can’t freely express what you think
4. you can have different opinions

Quiz question

A and D are the right answers.

02:07

Democracy vs Dictatorship

Democracy

Dictatorship

Everyone is equal and free

Excluding people

The same laws apply to everyone

You act as a judge

You can say what you think

Ideas are not based on facts 

Groups of people are described as dangerous

Differences of opinion are allowed

Belief in peace and cooperation

One person rules over everyone else

Drag and drop question

In this interactive exercise, students individually sort features that characterise a democracy or a dictatorship.

Discuss the answers. Give particular attention to the different features of a democracy and a dictatorship.

What can you do to protect democracy?

Open question

This interactive exercise helps students think for themselves about what you can do to protect democracy.

In the summing up discussion, consider these points: don’t follow the crowd, don’t allow yourself to be seduced by anti-democratic ideas, support organisations and people who protect/strengthen democracy, get rid of anti-democratic symbols, speak out, ask questions, don’t believe everything that is said, check the facts/sources, stay in touch.

What do you think?

Spinner

An interactive exercise that stimulates students to reflect on what they think about various opinions/assertions.

Let the spinner pick which statement is to be discussed. Encourage students to get involved in the debate. You can ask them to stand or sit to indicate whether they agree or disagree with the opinion, or have them take a position on an imaginary line through the classroom (yes, no, or everything in between.)

https://www.annefrank.org/nl/themas/discriminatie-en-gelijke-rechten/

(@marieke: kan je alle 4 de video's in de slide integreren ipv link?)

Want to hear what other young people say about democracy?

Watch the videos.

Want to show what other young people have to say about democracy?

Watch the videos with the class.