Student Notes

KWL Chart

Values are principles about how people should act.  People who live in a democracy share certain values  on how they feel others should be treated and on how the society should be run.

What does it mean to be Canadian??

Canadians hold the following values:

• fair and equal treatment of all

• respectful and sensitive towards others who have a different view on something

• a belief to solve differences in a peaceful way

• decision making is done through discussion and compromise

• support for diversity

compromise -to agree on a decision that satisfies all parties

diversity - respecting people from varied cultures and backgrounds

How Do Citizens Participate in Democracy?

The word democracy comes from

demos - the people

cratos - power or government

In a democracy, all citizens have the responsibility to participate and contribute to society. 

Society - a group of people who share the same rules, laws, and government or who share the same interests or culture.

These societal rules guide us on how we should act with others in our home, our school, our community, and our country.  

Canada has set out basic rules which can be found in our Constitution.  A constitution is the most important law of the land.  It explains how our government is to be run and outlines the rights of the people. 

Who makes up the rules?

Our laws were established many years ago, basing them on values and principles which the people shared.  Our laws continue to be changed as new situations arise.  The elected government create or change laws, in order to establish a society which is equal, just and respectful of cultural differences.

The Canadian society is the people who make up the many communities in Canada.  All people who are born in Canada is a Canadian citizen.  

Citizen -  a resident of a particular place, such as a city or town; a person who has certain rights in a country, such as voting

What about people who move to Canada, who are born in another country?

People who move to Canada and wish to become part of our democratic society, must apply for citizenship.  Anyone can belong to the Canadian society, but only citizens are allowed certain rights and responsibilities.  

What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens living in a representative democracy?

As a Canadian citizen, you have a number of rights which are protected by the government:

1. the right to a fair trial 

2. equal treatment

3. live and work anywhere in Canada

4. Aboriginal peoples' rights

5. basic freedoms, such as to practice their own religion, freedom fo speech, thought, and peaceful assembly.

There are certain responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen:

1. voting in elections

2. helping others in your community

3. caring for and protecting our heritage and environment

4. obeying Canada's laws

5. expressing opinions freely while respecting the rights of freedoms of others

6. eliminating discrimination and injustice

Are there people who are not granted citizenship?

Absolutely.  Those who are criminals, being deported (sent away from Canada), extradited (authorities take them to another country for legal reasons), prisoners, parolees, those on probation, convicted of war crimes or crimes against humanity, and those who have had their citizenship taken away in the past five years.

What are some ways that government helps people in your community? Your province?

Read pages 14 to  17 and answer the following questions:

1. What does the government do? 

2. What are our responsibilities?

3. What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

4. What are two facts about Leif Torjusen? 

5. What are two facts about LaSalle High School? 

6. What are two opinions in this story about uniforms? 

7. How does the last paragraph combine facts with opinion? 

When you hear the statement "contributes to society", what do you think of?

How do you or people you know contribute to society?

Some ways we see people contribute is through becoming involved in actions that benefit the community.

What are some examples?

Others will become involved by learning about issues which affect your community or school.

What are some examples?

When there are issues that affect the community, citizens may choose to become more active.  They may form groups so members can work together to achieve a common goal.  This goal may be to appeal the government to correct an injustice.

injustice -  an action that is not fair.

Another way citizens can be active within their community to by supporting actions the government takes.  An example of this may be supporting a curfew for young people.

What issues are there within our community? Record your answers on your handout and share them with the class.

1. Identify your concern

   • What is my concern?

   • Why am I concerned?

   • What do I hope to achieve by becoming involved?

2. Research Your Concern:

   • Where can I get information?

   • What are the different points of views?

   • What actions could I take?

3. Find Out Who Supports You:

   • Who else might be interested in taking action?

   • How can I get others involved?

4. Create a Plan

   • Are we going to take any action?

   • If so, what action are we going to take?

   • Who do we need to talk to?

5. Take Action

   • Are we doing what we planned?

   • Do we need to make any changes?

6. Evaluate the Plan:

   • What part of the plan worked well?

   • What part didn't work?

   • What did we learn from our experiences

7. Apply Your Learning

   • How can we apply the results?

   • How might we build on our action?

Using the ideas generated from above, create an action plan with a partner. 

Share your ideas with the class.

Chapter 2: Democracy in Action