Lesson on Democracy
Materials: 1. 2 softballs
2. 2 tablespoons
Introduction:
The pillar we are learning about this month is Citizenship. Let’s discuss what Citizenship means to us. How does it relate to the word Democracy? (Democracy is the notion that every citizen should participate in the decisions and processes that affect the nation). Citizenship is about doing one’s part, contributing to the betterment of the group as a whole.
Activity:
Divide students into two teams. Have each team line up in a straight line at one end of your classroom. Explain to the class that this will be a competition to see which team works best together. The object of the competition is to transport the softball from one end of the classroom to the other, using only the tablespoon to hold it. Each member of the team must hold the spoon and softball at least one time as it moves. The members must remain in line at all times. The spoon must be under the softball at all times. The spoon can be handed from one teammate to the other, it can slide on the floor, or it can be transported on another object, as long as the softball never leaves the spoon. If the softball does lose contact with the spoon, the ball and the spoon go back to the beginning and start again.
Encourage the students to think of creative ways to work together. The first team to transport the softball down the entire line successfully, wins. After the first competition is over, tell students to do it again, but this time the spoon and softball can only be carried by every FOURTH member in line (this puts an obstacle of 3 non-contributing members in the way of each transporter).
Discuss: How did your teams strategies work out? What happened when everyone helped to achieve the goal? What happened when some people did not participate?
Exit Ticket: Pick one of the following questions to pose to your students:
1. How do you think this game is like a democracy?
2. What are ways students need to participate in the classroom and in school in order to make things run smoothly?
3. Are there ways in which students could participate more?