OBJECTIVE
Students understand the concept of democracy and how it applies to America.

MATERIALS
D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet - Elisa Grodin

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

• Tell your students that they will be learning about democracy. Explain that a democracy is a government where all citizens have a voice.
• Let your students know that each letter of the alphabet is represented in this book by a word that has something to do with democracy. For example, W is for George Washington.
• Have your students guess what the different letters stand for. Don't reveal what they actually stand for until someone guesses correctly. Remind your students that all their guesses need to be about democracy in America.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What do you think were some of the most important words discussed in the book? Why do you think those words are so important?
• How would you describe a democracy?
• How is America a democracy?
• What can you do to make sure your voice is heard?
• The last pages of the book say, "We Want You To Get Involved?" Involved in what? What do they mean?

ACTIVITY

• Play a memory game with your students. After reading them the book (you may want to read it for a second time before you play), ask your students to recall each page's key word.
• Go alphabetically through the book saying, A was for... B was for... letting your students finish the statements.
• Cover the key words on each page (so the students don't see it) and make sure you hold up the pictures for your students to see. The pictures on each page should jog their memories, but you can always give clues such as, No "D" is not for dog, "D" is for our type of government.
• Keep the book available in your classroom and encourage your students to look at it when they get a chance.
• Consider playing the memory game again after some time has passed.

DOWNLOAD THIS ACTIVITY