Civics & Citizenship · Year 6 · Rights and Responsibilities · Term 4

Voting: Our Democratic Responsibility

Students learn about the importance of voting in a democracy as a way for citizens to choose their leaders and have a say in how their community is run.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K04

About This Topic

Global citizenship involves understanding that Australia is part of a wider world and that our actions have international impacts. This topic covers Australia's participation in global organizations like the United Nations and the Commonwealth, as well as our role in international agreements on climate change, trade, and human rights. For Year 6 students, it is about developing a global perspective and recognizing their shared responsibility for the planet. This aligns with AC9HASS6K04, focusing on Australia’s international obligations.

Students explore how global issues like plastic pollution or regional security require countries to work together. They also look at Australia's relationship with our Asia-Pacific neighbors and how we provide aid and support during regional crises. This topic is best taught through collaborative investigations and simulations where students represent different countries trying to solve a common problem.

Key Questions

1. Explain the significance of voting as a civic responsibility in a democracy.
2. Analyze how individual votes contribute to collective decision-making.
3. Justify the importance of citizen participation in elections.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the function of voting as a core responsibility in a democratic society.
• Analyze how individual votes aggregate to influence collective decision-making processes.
• Justify the importance of citizen participation in electoral processes.
• Compare the roles of citizens and elected officials in a representative democracy.

Before You Start

Year 5: Australian Democracy

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Australia's system of government before exploring the specific responsibility of voting within it.

Year 5: Rights and Responsibilities

Why: Prior knowledge of general rights and responsibilities helps students understand voting as a specific civic duty.

Key Vocabulary

Democracy	A system of government where citizens hold power, typically by electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Civic Responsibility	An obligation or duty that citizens have towards their community and country, such as voting or obeying laws.
Suffrage	The right to vote in political elections.
Electorate	All the people who are entitled to vote in an election.
Representation	The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Global citizenship means you don't care about your own country.

What to Teach Instead

Global citizenship is about having 'nested identities', being a proud Australian while also caring about the world. 'Identity Circles' activities help students see how these different roles can coexist.

Common Misconception

Australia is too small to make a difference in the world.

What to Teach Instead

Australia is a significant regional power and a leader in many international forums. Investigating Australia's role in specific global treaties helps students see our actual influence.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: UN Model Committee

Students are assigned different countries and must work together to draft a 'resolution' on a global issue like protecting the oceans. They must negotiate and find a solution that most countries can agree on.

90 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Australia's Neighbors

Groups research Australia's relationship with one Asia-Pacific neighbor (e.g., Indonesia, Fiji, Japan). They create a digital presentation showing how the two countries help each other through trade or aid.

60 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Global Problems, Local Actions

Students identify a global problem (like climate change) and brainstorm one thing they can do at school that helps solve it. They share how local actions contribute to global citizenship.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Local council elections determine who represents your community on issues like park maintenance, library services, and local road repairs. Your vote helps choose the individuals who make these decisions.
• The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) manages federal elections, ensuring fair and free voting processes. Understanding voting is crucial for participating in the selection of members of parliament who create national laws.
• Historical movements, like the fight for women's suffrage, demonstrate the long and ongoing struggle for the right to vote. Learning about these events highlights the value and responsibility associated with this democratic right.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine our class needs to decide on a new rule for the playground. How could we use voting to make this decision fairly? What makes voting a good way to decide?' Facilitate a brief class discussion, guiding students to connect classroom voting to democratic principles.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short scenario: 'A new community centre is being planned. Citizens can vote for one of three proposed designs. Why is it important for citizens to vote on this?' Ask students to write one or two sentences explaining the significance of their vote in this scenario.

Exit Ticket

On a small card, ask students to write: 1. One reason voting is a civic responsibility. 2. One way their vote contributes to the community's decisions. Collect these as students leave to gauge understanding of the core concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching global citizenship?

Simulations of international summits are excellent. When students have to represent a country with different needs than Australia, they develop empathy and a deeper understanding of global complexity. 'Global Connection Maps', where students trace the origin of their clothes or food, also provide a tangible way to see how we are all linked in a global system.

What is the United Nations (UN)?

The UN is an international organization founded in 1945. It brings countries together to work on world peace, human rights, and solving global problems like poverty and disease.

How does Australia help other countries?

Australia provides 'foreign aid' which includes money, supplies, and experts to help other countries with education, health, and disaster relief, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

What does it mean to be a 'Global Citizen'?

It means being aware of the wider world, respecting diversity, and taking action to make the world a more equitable and sustainable place for everyone.