Grades:

Grade 6-8

Subjects:

Social Studies

Overview

This lesson encourages students to learn the differences between various forms of government, electoral colleges and electoral systems.

Suggested Time Allowance:

1 hour

Objectives:

Students will be able to:
1. Define several forms of government.
2. Understand the meaning of electoral colleges.
3. Learn the various electoral systems present in the world.

Materials:

-Student journals
-Pens/pencils
-Computer with internet connection  

Activities/Procedure:

Various forms of governments are introduced and defined.
-Dictatorship or Absolute Monarchy
-Oligarchy
-Direct Democracy
-Representative Democracy
-Presidential System

Students are asked to identify the form of government in their country. Do they know of any other forms of government? Point out that it is unusual to find a pure type of government in operation. (There are other hybrid forms like constitutional monarchy, constitutional democracy etc). 

Discuss the concept of electoral college and universal adult franchise. Ask them to do a little reading on the types of electoral systems.

You can start a class election for the post of 'Monitor' and explain the various terms in that context. Who form the electoral college? What are the various vote counting technologies you can use?

Students should make a report on 'Types of Government' .Ask them to write each known type of government with a simple definition. They have  to list 5 countries for each form of government in their journal. They can use the Government type resource from NationMaster. 

Ask the students to follow the links provided in the lesson plan to get definitions and other details required to make the report.

Assessment:

Students will be evaluated based on their report  and  participation in class discussions. 

Source:

NationMaster