Government and DemocracyDay #1

Survivor Island:

A class trip goes horribly wrong. In your groups, decide how to survive. Answer all of the questions on your sheet in detail. Be collaborative!

Process:

How were decisions made for each question?Did everyone agree with the decisions?Were decisions made quickly?Did everyone participate?

What if?

• Your teacher had NO rules about behavior, habits or homework?

• What would happen if there were no rules or authority in West Kelowna?

• In Canada?• Ang iyong guro ay HINDI mga tuntunin tungkol sa pag-

uugali, gawi o araling-bahay?Ano ang mangyayari kung walang mga alituntunin o mga awtoridad sa West Kelowna?Sa Canada?

What if there were no rules?

What if?

• Your school made rules that were unfair or unnecessarily harsh?

• What would happen if people in West Kelowna were under very strict rules? – 6 pm curfew for anyone under 18– No sports or games in public

What if the rules were unfair?

The Canadian Government:

In Canada, there is a government for the whole country, one for each province/territory, and one for each community.

What is government?

The role of government is to make decisions and enforce laws for people living within its borders, and to provide services to protect its citizens.

Who is Running?

Watch this video about the candidates in this federal election.

Government and DemocracyDay #2

How do governments compare?Governments around the world differ from one another and they can be compared by asking the following questions:

a) Who holds power?b) How do they get to be in power?c ) What rights and freedoms do people have?

Sketchnote:

For each of the following types of Government, do a Sketchnote (a combination of doodles, drawings and notes):

1. Dictatorship2. Oligarchy3. Democracy

Dictatorship• A dictatorship = one person is the leader • The dictator often comes to power through a military

takeover. • Power is then maintained without the permission of the

people through a one-party state where political opposition is forbidden.

• Citizens have few rights and freedoms.

Oligarchy• An oligarchy = a few people have power. • Political power is shared by a small group of people, usually

the rich. • Citizens have some rights and freedoms.• An oligarchy can also be a dictatorship.

Democracy• A democracy = all citizens have a say in determining the

government and have a voice through their elected representatives.

• There are free and fair elections, and citizens can run for political office.

• The rights and freedoms of citizens are protected (e.g., the right to vote, freedom of speech and expression).

Canada’s Government• Canada is a democracy and a constitutional

monarchy.• We elect people to represent us in our

governments and to make decisions on our behalf.

• Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth (along with 52 other countries) and is connected to the Crown. The Queen of England is also Canada’s Queen.

• The Queen accepts all decisions made by the Government of Canada, but she continues to play an important ceremonial and symbolic role.

Final Thoughts

• By yourself, fill out Worksheet 1.3• EXPLAIN why you chose each answer. • WHY would it work better?

Final Thoughts• What would your life be like without a government?

• What are the pros and cons of each type of government?

• Would you prefer to live in a dictatorship or a democracy? Why?

Extra Stuff

• Preparing for the Globe and Mail leaders’ debate – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ccfbjFHKQ

•  • Leaders’ debates: Knockout Punches

– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VRSYJRua5Q

Let’s Eat:

With your group, collaborate and fill out the first section of Worksheet 1.2By yourself, fill out the rest

Let’s Eat:

Discuss the last point with your face partner: What are the disadvantages of this decision-making process?

Rock, paper, scissors, winner stand up!