### Lesson Plan: Civic Education - Democracy
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 3
**Subject:** Civic Education
**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Topic:** Democracy
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#### **Objectives:**
1. **Cognitive:** Students will understand the principles and types of democracy.
2. **Affective:** Students will appreciate the importance of democratic values in society.
3. **Psychomotor:** Students will participate in a class activity simulating democratic elections.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and laptop for multimedia presentation
- Handouts on democratic principles
- Ballot papers and a ballot box
- Index cards
- Writing paper and pens
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### **Lesson Outline:**
**1. Introduction (10 mins)**
- **Greeting and Settling Down:** Briefly greet the students and allow them to settle down.
- **Hook:** Show a short video clip (2-3 mins) on a significant democratic event (e.g., a presidential election, a historic speech)
- **Objective Stating:** Inform students of the lesson objectives and what they should be able to understand by the end of the class.
**2. Direct Instruction (20 mins)**
- **Definition of Democracy:** Define democracy as the system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.
- **Types of Democracy:**
- **Direct Democracy:** Where citizens vote on all decisions.
- **Representative Democracy:** Where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.
- **Principles of Democracy:**
- **Rule of Law:** Everyone is subject to the law.
- **Separation of Powers:** Division among legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
- **Freedoms and Rights:** Freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
- **Fair and Free Elections:** Regular elections without interference.
- **Civic Participation:** Encouraging people to participate in politics and community activities.
**3. Class Discussion (10 mins)**
- Pose questions like:
- "Why is it essential for a democracy to have fair and free elections?"
- "How do democratic principles protect citizens' rights?"
- Allow students to share thoughts and engage in a brief discussion.
**4. Group Activity: Mock Election (30 mins)**
- **Setup:**
- Divide the class into small groups representing different political parties.
- Each group will need to prepare a short campaign speech based on provided manifestos.
- **Conduct Mock Election:**
- Allow each group to present their campaign speech (2-3 minutes each).
- Distribute ballot papers to all students and conduct the vote.
- Count the votes and announce the winner, discussing the importance of transparency in the process.
**5. Reflection (10 mins)**
- **Ask Students:**
- "What did you learn from the mock election about how democracy works?"
- "How can fair elections be safeguarded in a real democratic system?"
**6. Conclusion (5 mins)**
- Summarize the key points of the lesson.
- Reiterate the importance of democratic values.
**7. Assignment (5 mins)**
- Hand out an assignment: Write a short essay on “The Role of Citizens in a Democracy.”
- Provide a brief outline and key points students should cover in their essay.
**8. Question and Answer Session (5 mins)**
- Open the floor for any questions students may have regarding the lesson.
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### **Assessment:**
- Participation in the mock election and class discussion.
- Understanding as demonstrated through the written essay.
- Observations of student engagement and contributions during the lesson.
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### **Resources:**
- Handouts on democratic principles: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/basic-principles-democracy/
- Example of a democratic election video: YouTube link (ensure it’s appropriate and educational)
- Sample manifestos for the mock election
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### **Reflection:**
- Note what worked well and areas needing improvement for future lessons.
- Gather feedback from students to tailor subsequent lessons to better meet their needs.
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With this plan, students in Senior Secondary 3 will gain a comprehensive understanding of democracy and its significance, actively engage with the concepts, and reflect on their roles within a democratic society.