Each of the links below will take you to a democracy skills lesson document (in PDF format) that has been developed by the Democracy Education Network (DEN), or in a few cases to an information website developed by a government organization.

DEN suggests that civics / advocacy courses teach the more than 40 lessons set out below in the order they are set out, first teaching how government and corporations work, then how to get yourself and your group organized, then planning for effective advocacy, then key advocacy skills (including media skills).

By teaching the lessons in this order, students will likely best understand that it is easy to be an "activist" (someone who is active on societal problems) but it takes careful planning to be an "effectivist" (someone who actually helps solve societal problems).

As you will see, many of the lesson materials are ready-made, real-life activities that students can complete for credit as part of their course.  DEN suggests that teachers use the materials as follows:

• 2 classes -- teach Parts 1, 2 with handouts;
  
• 1 class - teach Part 3 with handouts;
• 1 class - divide students into small groups and have them meet and choose an issue/problem to try to solve using the skills they learned from the Part 3 materials;
  
• 3 classes - teach Parts 4 and 5 with handouts and then have the groups conduct research on their issue/problem (including political landscaping research), and develop goals, strategies and actions that are doable by the end of the course -- examples of doable actions are as follows:
• writing a letter-to-the-editor or an article for a newspaper or magazine or website;
  
• holding an event to raise awareness about the problem and solutions (with one speaker, a panel of speakers, or a debate);
• research and prepare a written summary of proposed solutions and present them to local, provincial, territorial or federal politicians by:
• meeting with them;
• gathering signatures on a petition in support of a solution and and sending it to them;
• gathering letters in support of a solution and sending the letters to them;
• applying to testify before a committee, and/or;
• holding a legal, peaceful demonstration in front of their offices.
  
• 2 classes - teach Part 6 with handouts, and then have each group present its problem-solving plan, and then have groups begin to act on their plans;
• each following class - have a few of the groups present a brief report of their problem-solving efforts, and;
• end of course - have students prepare a final written report and present the results of their problem-solving efforts.
  

To see an outline of how to present the lesson materials in a Level 1 democracy skills course, click here, and to see an outline of how to present these lesson materials in a Level 2 course, click here.

To see information for teachers or citizen groups who want Democracy Education Network (DEN) to do a democracy skills workshop for their strudents, staff or volunteers, click here.

We hope that you find DEN's materials useful in teaching and learning how to advocate effectively for social change, and please let us know how and where you are using the materials (and suggest changes to make the materials better) by sending an email to: <advocacyskills "@" democracyeducation.net>

For more useful civics education materials, go to the Canadian Teachers' Federation's ImagineAction website, and also see the TVOntario cartoon series for kids on fundamental democratic rights, freedoms and responsibilities called Pillars of Freedom.

Please support DEN's efforts to ensure all Canadians have an opportunity to learn key democracy skills.  To make a donation, please click here.

List of Democracy Skills Lesson Materials