Building Democratic Classrooms

A democratic classroom values inclusion, participation, and fairness. It fosters open dialogue, respects diverse perspectives, and encourages inquiry-based learning. Students engage in decision-making, collaborate, and share ideas. Teachers promote critical thinking, equality, and create a safe space for expression. Active listening, empathy, and mutual respect are vital. Trust, cooperation, and responsibility are nurtured, empowering students to take ownership of their learning. A democratic classroom cultivates curiosity, supports individual growth, and prepares students for active citizenship in a democratic society through collaborative inquiry and meaningful engagement.

Preparing to build Democratic Classrooms

Building Democratic lessons foster democratic processes, dialogue, and community in a classroom. When planning for Democratic Classrooms, consider:

Building Democratic Classrooms are marked "Unit 0" to establish a democratic foundation and culture at the beginning of the year.
Lessons are student facing.
All lessons are intended to be flexible, so add, modify, or subtract from a lesson. This page is not grade level specific. Lessons are intended to be modified per teacher need. Additionally, below the provided lessons are additional ways to approach a Democratic Classroom.
Consider a sequence of lessons that make sense to the teacher and students.
- Grade K-5 JCPS Social Studies Example (modify and adapt):
  - Day 1: What does it mean to human and humane?
  - Day 2: What is the goal of Social Studies?
  - Day 3: Why is discussion important?
  - Day 4: What makes us comfortable, grow, and panic?
  - Day 5: What is your story?
  - Day 6: What makes you, you?
  - Day 7: What type of leader am I?
  - Day 8: How can we encourage of collaboration, respect, and a sense of belonging within our classroom community?

- Grade 6-12 JCPS Social Studies Example (modify and adapt):
  - Day 1: What does it mean to human and humane?
  - Day 2: What is the goal of Social Studies?
  - Day 3: Why is discussion important?
  - Day 4: What makes us comfortable, grow, and panic?
  - Day 5: What are the dangers of a single story?
  - Day 6: What is your story?
  - Day 7: What makes you, you?
  - Day 8: What type of leader am I?
  - Day 9: How can we encourage of collaboration, respect, and a sense of belonging within our classroom community?
  - Day 10: How can reading in Social Studies make me a better citizen? (Sourcing and Contextualization)
  - Day 11: How can reading in Social Studies make me a better citizen? (Corroboration and Close Reading)
  - Day 12-13: How can I make better claims? (SHEG Lunchroom Fight)

Democratic Classroom Lessons

JCPS Social Studies Created and Adapted Lessons

Note: While this page is for the 2023 school year, we will work to individualize and adapt new materials to ensure that while there are overlaps, each grade is personalized for students for the 2024-25 school year.