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Lesson 2 of 5
  • Year 3

Democracy

I can explain what democracy means and why it is important.

Lesson 2 of 5
New
New
  • Year 3

Democracy

I can explain what democracy means and why it is important.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Democracy is an important British value with a long history in Britain.
  2. Democracy means everyone has a voice in decisions.
  3. We use voting to make fair choices as a group, for example, when adults vote for MPs in elections.
  4. Sometimes our choice won’t win, but the process is still fair.
  5. Many countries around the world do not have democracy like Britain does.

Keywords

  • Democracy - when people vote to choose leaders who make laws and decisions for everyone

  • Vote - to choose someone or something in an election, like picking who you want to be your leader or what rule you want

Common misconception

Democracy means everyone always gets what they want.

Democracy means everyone has a chance to share, but the majority decision is followed.


To help you plan your year 3 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Democracy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If your school has a School or Student Council, connect their role and decisions to the values introduced in this lesson.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Why is it good to have rules in our classroom?

so the teacher can be in charge of everything
to make school a less fun place to be
so children can't make any choices
Correct answer: to help everyone feel safe and learn well together

Q2.
Which of the following are the fundamental British values?

drinking tea
Correct answer: liberty
Correct answer: democracy
Correct answer: rule of law
Correct answer: respect and tolerance

Q3.
When your class needs to choose a game to play, what is the fairest way to decide?

the teacher always chooses
the loudest person decides
Correct answer: everyone votes and the most popular choice wins
only the oldest children choose

Q4.
Match each way of behaving with what it helps us do in our community.

Correct Answer:making fair choices together,working as a team

working as a team

Correct Answer:being kind to others,showing respect

showing respect

Correct Answer:following rules,keeping everyone safe

keeping everyone safe

Correct Answer:speaking up for yourself,having your say

having your say

Q5.
Which of these shows mutual respect and tolerance in your classroom?

Correct answer: listening when others share different ideas
only playing with children who look like you
laughing when someone makes a mistake
only helping your best friends

Q6.
Values are things we think are and should guide how we behave.

Correct Answer: important

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word means when people vote to choose leaders who make laws and decisions for everyone?

Correct Answer: democracy

Q2.
In a democracy, who gets to have a voice in making decisions?

Correct answer: citizens over the age of 18
only the smartest people
only people who are rich
only people who went to university

Q3.
Which statement is true about democracy?

Everyone always gets exactly what they want.
Correct answer: Everyone gets a chance to share, but most people's choice wins.
Only teachers and parents can make decisions.
The quietest person always wins.

Q4.
Match each democracy idea with what it means.

Correct Answer:everyone has a voice,all people can share their ideas in a decision

all people can share their ideas in a decision

Correct Answer:voting makes fair choices,groups pick the most popular option together

groups pick the most popular option together

Correct Answer:democracy is a British value,voting has a long history in Britain

voting has a long history in Britain

Q5.
Which statement is true about democracy around the world?

Every country uses democracy.
All other countries do not have democracy like Britain.
Democracy only works in Britain.
Correct answer: Many countries around the world do not have democracy.

Q6.
Which word means to choose someone or something in an election?

Correct Answer: vote, to vote, voting