Civics and Citizenship - Learning about democracy

What is Democracy in Australia and what does it mean to you?

In the upcoming weeks, our Year 5 class will be learning about Australian Democracy, the meaning of democracy, its' history and values. This will include opportunities to talk about freedom of speech, elections, how to be elected, freedom of expression and religious beliefs, and basic human rights, (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting [ACARA], ACHASSK115,). Learning about Democracy is important, as it will help students to participate in society and make sense of the world they live in, (DEEWR, 2010). 

Students will begin by exploring and analysing different types of ruling systems and their principles and processes. They will learn about this by engaging in discussions, participating in interactive groups and questioning their learning. One activity will place the students in groups were they must act out one particular ruling system, such as democratic system, whilst designing a building. They will then develop a report about their particular ruling system and what they experienced. By being critical of the different principles and processes of the different systems of how a nation is ruled, students will be able make assessments of which system is fair for all people. At home you could engage your child in discussions around the topic of democracy. Some suggested questions are found below.

After gaining the concept of different ruling systems, we will turn our attention to how decisions are made in Australia, who makes them and why. They will learn that we have a representative democracy and what this means. Students will then watch “What is Democracy?” by BTN, (2016). http://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/what-is-democracy/10524786. This short video discusses the origin and meaning of the word democracy and what this means for Australia. Students will then watch “Magna Carta: the story of our freedom.” https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/videos/magna-carta-story-our-freedom (which describes the history and establishment of democracy in Australia. It also provides a strong message of freedom and rights for all humans. This source will describe to students the Magna Carta, which was the first legal document on human rights and how it has evolved. Informing students of this, supports the general capability of ethical understanding. Ethical understanding involves students exploring rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups of people. (ACARA, n.d). It would be wonderful if you could continue the discussion on rights and responsibility with your child and what rights they think they have at home and/or at school.

Australian Human Rights Commission (2015)

The class will then discuss what rights they think they have in the classroom and how their voices and opinions can be heard. They will then be given the chance to put their knowledge of democratic processes into practice in the classroom by electing two Student Representatives for the class. Electing these representatives provides an opportunity for students to learn through active participation, (Crick Report, 1998). When students are involved in leadership programs and their opinions in the decision making processes is taken into account, it is believed that their self esteem and active participation is strengthened, (Tudball & Forsyth, 2002).

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References

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2016). The Australian Curriculum:  HASS (Version 8.3), HASS, Year 5, All curriculum elements, all curriculum dimensions. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/download?view=f10

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2016). The Australian Curriculum: Foundation-10 curriculum General-capabilities Ethical Understanding., Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/ethical-understanding/

Australian Human Rights Commission (2015) Magna Carta infographic. Australian Human Rights Commission., Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/magnacarta/infographic/

Australian Human Rights Commission (2015) Magna Carta: the story of our freedom Video. Australian Human Rights Commission., Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/videos/magna-carta-story-our-freedom

BTN (2016)., What is Democracy? ABC. Retrieved from., Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/what-is-democracy/10524786

Crick Report. (1998). Education for citizenship and the teaching of democracy in schools, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority., London. Retrieved from, https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/4385/1/crickreport1998.pdf

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (2010) Civics & Citizenship Education Professional Learning Package, Education Services Australia., Retrieved from, https://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/verve/_resources/DEEWR_CCE_PLP.pdf

Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs MCEETYA (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. Retrieved from http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

Tudball, L. and Forsyth, A. (2002), Listening to the voices of teachers: How should we define and implement Civics and Citizenship Education in the future? AARE Conference proceedings, Brisbane, Retrieved from https://www.aare.edu.au/data/publications/2002/for02438.pdf