Democracy Lesson

Objective: Students will write an essay that compares the direct democracy of ancient Athens to a representative democracy of today. (CA History-Social Science 6th Grade Standard, 6.4, #3)

A democracy is a form of government in which the people, either directly or indirectly, take part in governing. The word democracy originates from Greek, and means rule of the people. (http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au)

WHAT WE KNOW...
We have learned about the different government systems of the city-states of ancient Greece, including monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy. Athens became a democracy around 500 B.C.E. Unlike any other government system before it, democracy gave power to all citizens by allowing all citizens to vote. It sounds like our system today in the United States, right? Not exactly. Athens had a direct democracy, but modern democracy, including that of the United States, is a representative democracy. There are some commonalities between the two forms of democracy, but there are some significant differences. What do they have in common? How do they differ?

LESSON:

1. Venn Diagram. Label and print the Venn diagram. Jot notes on it to record similarities and differences between direct and respresentative democracy. You will turn these notes in with your final essay.

2. This short video will help you understand how Athen's direct democracy worked and how it differs from a representative democracy of today. As you watch the video, jot notes on your Venn Diagram about the similarities and differences. After watching the video, take the quiz online. Print the activity, compete it, and turn it in with your final essay.

Additional websites can use as resources:

Ancient Greece for Kids

Encyclopedia for Kids

3. Compare and contrast essay: Write a four paragraph essay on the similarities and differences between direct democracy and representative democracy.
Paragraph 1 - Introduction (4 - 6 sentenecs)
Paragraph 2 - Similarities (5 - 7 sentences)
Paragraph 3 - Differences (7 - 9 sentences)
Paragraph 4 - Closing (3 - 5 sentences)

*You must include a reference page with all website titles and addresses that you used for information in your essay.

*Include your Venn diagram notes and your activity from the video with your final draft.