Understanding Core Democratic Values

Lesson 1: (2 Class Periods)

Key concepts: Core democratic values - Individual Rights - The Common Good - Liberty - Separation of Powers

Plan: It is important that students have an understanding of the fundamental values and principles of American democracy. A description of some of the core democratic values and constitutional principles was summarized by Vicky Soderberg based on Civitas: A Framework for Civic Education, a collaborative project of the Center for Civic Education and the Council for the Advancement of Citizenship. Assign each student one of the values and principles, such as "common good". Each student should read the summary and then write a definition in their own words. They should also draw a picture that symbolizes what it means to them and describe a situation where it would be applied in real life. 

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