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Trust for Representative Democracy Home Page
Appreciating Democracy: A Lesson Plan for High School Teachers of
Civics, Government, and U.S. History
Lesson Plan Table of Contents
"Differences and Settlements in Ordinary Life" Lesson plan for teachers (Item B1)
Activity 1 "Where To Eat?" Description and instructions for the activity, to be used by teachers and handed out to the students (Item B2)
Observer Worksheet for Activity 1 For monitoring of students by teachers (Item B3)
Restaurant Ballot Ballot to be handed out to students (Item B4)
Activity 1--Item B1
"Differences and Settlements in Ordinary Life"
Lesson Plan
Lesson Goal
The purpose of the first activity is to demonstrate that differences and their settlement in personal life are not unlike differences and their settlement in political life. In both spheres differences are normal. And in both spheres a settlement is reached by trying to persuade one another on the merits, by negotiation and compromise, and by majority agreement.
Objectives
- To understand and appreciate a few of the basic practices of democracy:
- That people have different values, interests and opinions.
- These differences are often settled by means of deliberation and negotiation, with compromise and a majority vote as key elements.
- To appreciate that the processes used in reaching a settlement are similar in both personal situations and the political sphere.
Concepts
Deliberation A conversation by two or more sides on an issue in which each side tries to persuade the other of the merits of its position, and each side is generally open to persuasion.
Negotiation This practice does not involve the substantive merits of the issue, or one side convincing the other that it is right. Rather, negotiation is an activity in which two sides with different positions try to resolve their differences by a variety of techniques such as compromise.
Decision Whether deliberations and/or negotiations are used to reach a settlement, it is necessary to know when that settlement has been reached. In democratic politics that normally means voting.
Materials
Where to Eat? - A description of the activity, directions for the teacher and a student handout. (Item B2)
Observer worksheet for teachers (Item B3)
Restaurant ballot (Item B4)
Activity
- Review the activity description with the students. Allow students time to silently read the Local Restaurant Guide. (5 minutes)
- Pass out the restaurant ballot form to all students and instruct them to mark their initial selection. Do not reveal to the class the results of this poll. (2 minutes)
- Instruct members of class that they will have 15 -20 minutes to discuss their options and reach an agreement. Remind the students that the principal will only pay for dinner if agreement can be reached.
- Allow the students to deliberate and negotiate. Observe this process and take notes using the Observer Form. These notes will be important in the debriefing.
- Stop the period of deliberation and negotiation either when an agreement has been reached or the time has expired. (20 minutes)
- Use the questions for debriefing (below) to discuss the activity with the students. (15-20 minutes)
Debriefing Questions
The main questions to be addressed in this debriefing are:
- What were the initial restaurant choices of the students? How many different choices? Was there a majority, a plurality at the outset?
- Did students take a straw vote to find out who favored what?
- Were there efforts, then, to persuade one another to agree on certain restaurants? Were these arguments made on the merits, such that a particular restaurant had better food, better service, etc.?
- Did negotiations take place among proponents of one restaurant or another? Were any compromises struck? Was it possible to compromise in this activity?
- How was the decision as to where to eat made? By a series of votes? One vote? A majority vote? Otherwise?
- Why did the minority agree to go along with the majority?
- How did students feel about the process and settlement? Was the process fair? Was the settlement fair?
- Ask the students to suggest other instances from their own experience where differences had to be worked out by democratic means. What were the differences? Why did they have to be settled? What roles did deliberation and negotiation play? Were any compromises reached?
Activity 1 -- Item B2
"Where to Eat?"
Student Handout
Tradition holds that each year the senior class at your school has an end-of-the-year celebratory dinner. The school principal has offered to pay for this event and invited the senior class to select a local restaurant. The only requirement is that the class must reach agreement as to which restaurant they will eat at. If an agreement can not be reached, then the principal will not pay for the dinner.
In this activity you will play the role of a member of the senior class. You must discuss with the other members of your class where to have this year's dinner. In order to help with this decision you have been provided with a restaurant review of local restaurants. In addition to the descriptions, each restaurant has received a rating. Four stars is the highest rating a restaurant can receive.
Local Restaurant Review
Hunan Wok ***
Authentic food from the Hunan Province is served in this delightful environment. Chinese art, gardens and fountains help diners to feel that they have been transported to the Far East as they enjoy the delicious daily specials prepared by Chef Wong. Each evening a few lucky diners receive fun surprises in their fortune cookies such as free tickets to local movies and amusement parks or coupons for a free dinner on their next trip to the Hunan Wok. Dinners range from $8.99-$14.99
IL Villagio **
Pasta offered 17 different ways along with all you can eat specials are the popular draws at IL Villagio. The sauces are creative and many quite good, but are sometimes served over pasta that has been cooked too long. The daily specials feature favorite Italian dishes such as Chicken Piccata, Lasagna with a Bolognese sauce or a Veal Parmiginia. The causal atmosphere and all you can eat pasta starting as low as $5.99, make this an ideal family restaurant. Entrees range from $9.95 - $13.95
The Ranch House ***
Beef, beef and more beef is the motto of The Ranch House. Whether it is a prime rib, rib eye steak or a cut of filet mignon, all are cooked to perfection. Steaks are complemented with a choice of potatoes, fried, mashed or baked. The extensive salad bar offers a nice beginning to your meal. For the non-meat eater chicken, broiled or grilled, is also served. The rustic decor and western style outfits worn by the wait staff add to the dinner experience. Dinners range from $17.95 - $28.95
The Aztec Hut ***
If you like Mexican, the Aztec Hut will not disappoint. All of the favorites, nachos, fajitas, and burritos, are served along with specials such as Chicken Mole and Blackened Fish Tacos. Portions are generous and often require a doggie bag. Live music offered each evening is a mix of blues, soft rock and traditional Mexican. Dinners range from $8.99-$14.99
The Pier ***
A seafood lover's haven! The Pier is best known for its shrimp and oyster bar, but also offers an extensive menu of delicious seafood entrees. The land lover can enjoy a selection of Prime Rib or Filet Mignon, best coupled with a shrimp scampi or lobster tail on the Surf and Turf menu. All entrees are served with pasta, rice or a potato. Diners are serenaded by a piano player in this elegant atmosphere. Proper attire and reservations are required. Entrees range from $18.95 - $34.95
Joe Burger Joint ***
Joe provides a casual and friendly atmosphere to gather with friends and family. Although Joe Build Your Own Burgers are popular, patrons can choose from a variety of dishes such as BBQ Ribs, grilled chicken and pasta dishes. A wide range of appetizers and desserts is also offered. All portions are generous and reasonably priced. What Joe may lack in ambience, is made up for in down-to-earth, good food. Prices range from $6.99 - $11.95.
Activity 1--Item B3
Where to Eat?
Observer Worksheet
- How and why did students differ in their initial positions?
- How was deliberation employed, and how important was it in the settlement process?
- To what extent did students negotiate, and what type of negotiations took place?
- Were compromises made, how were they made, and what were they?
- How was a decision finally made--by a vote or otherwise?
Activity 1-- Item B4
Restaurant Ballot
Choose your first and second choice by marking the appropriate space.
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Restaurant
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First Choice
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Second Choice
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Hunan Wok |
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IL Villagio |
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The Ranch House |
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The Aztec Hut |
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The Pier |
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Joe Burger Joint |
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Prepared by Alan Rosenthal and Greer Burroughs as a project of the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers University. The authors can be reached at alanr@rci.rutgers.edu or (732) 828-2210, ext. 251. The current version was completed in September 2003.
Posted 10/25/03
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