How can we engage in local democracy?
I can explain what local democracy involves and how Youth Councils help local democracy.
How can we engage in local democracy?
I can explain what local democracy involves and how Youth Councils help local democracy.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Local democracy refers to the participation of citizens in decision-making at a community level.
- Young people can engage through democratic processes such as consultations, campaigning and meetings with councillors.
- Youth Councils are formal bodies led by young people to represent youth perspectives in local governance.
- Participation in Youth Councils encourages civic responsibility, political literacy and leadership development.
Keywords
Local democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives in their geographical area
Youth Council - a group set up, led and shaped by young people to represent the views and interests of other young people in a democratic way
Common misconception
Local democracy only happens during elections.
Local democracy is happening all the time. It occurs in council meetings, Youth Councils, local campaigns and anytime that people speak up about local issues. You do not need to wait for local elections to take part.
To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we engage in local democracy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we engage in local democracy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How can young people play an active role in democracy? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
active citizen
pupil voice
decision-maker
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
a system of government in which people vote in regular, fair elections
a group set up to represent the views of other young people
a governing body responsible for providing public services locally
by making sure youth views are heard by decision-makers.
by discussing issues that matter to people in their area.
by acting on behalf of the whole nation.