Democracy in Scotland

Lesson Overview

Unit: Democracy in Modern Scotland
Lesson: 1 of 3
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Curriculum Reference: GCSE History – AQA, Edexcel, OCR or SQA National 5 (aligning with topics on governance and democracy in the UK)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define democracy and explain its key principles.
2. Describe the historical development of democracy in Scotland.
3. Explain the importance of the establishment of the Scottish Parliament (1999) in the context of Scottish democracy.
4. Discuss the impact of democracy on governance in Scotland today.

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Lesson Structure

Starter Activity (5 minutes) – Democracy in Action

• Display two images: one of a voting station in Scotland and another of a historical Scottish Parliament sitting.
• Ask the class: “What do you think these images have in common?”
• Facilitate a Think-Pair-Share activity where students brainstorm their ideas before discussing as a class.
• Introduce the term democracy, writing their suggestions on the board and summarising key points.

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Main Teaching (15 minutes) – The Scottish Democratic Journey

1. Short Teacher-led Presentation (7 minutes)

   • Define democracy and highlight key principles (representation, accountability, rule of law).
   • Explore Scotland’s historical path to democracy, touching on:
     • The 1707 Act of Union and impact on governance.
     • Scottish Home Rule debates in the 20th century.
     • The 1997 Scotland Referendum (Devolution vote).
     • The 1999 establishment of the Scottish Parliament.
   • Show a timeline on the board to help visualise these events.

2. Class Discussion (5 minutes) – Why Does Democracy Matter?

   • Pose the question: “How does democracy impact your daily life?”
   • Encourage students to share ideas, using examples like school councils, elections, and government decision-making.

3. Group Task: Democracy Debate (3 minutes)

   • Split the class into 5 groups of 5 students.
   • Each group takes a principle of democracy (e.g. free elections, rights & responsibilities, accountability).
   • Groups have 3 minutes to discuss why their principle is essential for a fair government.

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Activity (15 minutes) – “What If Scotland Wasn’t Democratic?”

• Scenario: Imagine Scotland had no democracy…
• Each student writes down 3 things that might be different (laws, elections, decision-making).
• Pair discussion: compare answers with a partner and refine ideas.
• Invite some students to share their thoughts with the class.
• End with a key question: "What are the risks when democracy is weakened?"

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Plenary (5 minutes) – The Democracy Reflection

• Ask students to summarise, in one sentence, why democracy is important for Scotland.
• Collect responses and display them at the front, forming a class democracy statement for future lessons.
• Provide a teaser for the next lesson: "How does the Scottish Parliament actually work?"

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Assessment & Homework

Assessment (During Lesson):

• Participation in discussions and the Democracy Debate.
• Contributions to the "What If Scotland Wasn’t Democratic?" activity.
• Final reflection statement for plenary.

Homework:

• Research Task: Find a real-life example of a decision made by the Scottish Parliament in the last 2 years. Write 100 words explaining how democracy played a role in this decision.

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Differentiation & Support

• For High Achievers: Encourage them to think critically about democracy today versus historical challenges to democracy in Scotland.
• For Students Needing Support: Pair them with a supportive peer during discussion activities. Focus on key takeaway points rather than broad historical detail.

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Resources Needed

• Images of a voting station and a Scottish Parliament session.
• Whiteboard & markers.
• Printed timeline of key Scottish democratic events.
• Scenario cards for the ‘What If Scotland Wasn’t Democratic?’ activity.

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Teacher Reflection

• Were students engaged with the concept of democracy?
• Did students grasp the significance of the Scottish Parliament’s creation?
• What adjustments could be made for next lesson based on student understanding?

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Final Thought

This lesson is designed to bring democracy to life for students by making it relevant and interactive. It builds a foundation for later discussions on governance and the role of the Scottish Parliament. By connecting history with modern-day Scotland, students will develop a deeper appreciation for how democracy affects their lives today.