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talkpoliticsI'm preparing to teach 6th grade and am reading the "Reader" that will be used in my class. The story in question is "The Skill of Pericles" by David Scott Meier. It is a play about ancient Greek teens trying to discover what Pericles will give a prize for. It turns out that he's looking for the individual who is the best friend.
The quote I want to talk about is this: "The first prize in a democracy goes to those who give, not to those who have."
When I was in 6th grade, democracy was defined as "the art of self-discipline, so that one need not be disciplined by others."
How would you explain democracy to 11-12 year olds?
Go!
The quote I want to talk about is this: "The first prize in a democracy goes to those who give, not to those who have."
When I was in 6th grade, democracy was defined as "the art of self-discipline, so that one need not be disciplined by others."
How would you explain democracy to 11-12 year olds?
Go!
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Date: 17/8/12 16:04 (UTC)It is unfortunately a human government system and has to deal with humans, which means that the only tools you have to work with are greed and envy, not much else.
What you're looking for is more like socialism. I'm a big fan of socialism.
(no subject)
Date: 18/8/12 00:09 (UTC)To teach them, maybe you could have them vote on things in the classroom, maybe make a ballot so they vote on a few things, or even have them pick positions and campaign. Not fundamentally important things, but maybe more like, "which poster should we hang up," "should we line up in alpha order or reverse alpha order," etc.
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Date: 18/8/12 01:17 (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 17/8/12 15:43 (UTC)I seems to me that an "Explanation" would be more of a "definition". One that would work with 11-12 years olds (Damn! none of the big words I so dearly love!)
"Democracy is when what I want is as important as what you want, and just as important as what that guy over there wants. So we all have to work together to figure out the best ways to decide what to do."
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Date: 24/8/12 05:52 (UTC)*Deliberately he.