Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Politics and Power

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

Setting clear and specific objectives is vital for helping students focus on applying the concepts they've explored in their own lives. By clarifying the objectives, students gain insight into the relevance of the topic and its real-world implications. This understanding maximizes the effectiveness of classroom time, enabling students to engage, discuss, and deepen their knowledge meaningfully.

Objective Utama:

1. Examine how the concept of power is constructed and how it interacts with politics, emphasizing the ways this context shapes the dynamics of political power.

2. Cultivate the ability to differentiate between various forms of power and their practical applications in the political realm.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Foster critical thinking about the power dynamics observed in today's society.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This introduction aims to engage students with the content they've previously studied, using relatable problems that encourage the practical application of theoretical knowledge about politics and power. The contextualization also aims to highlight the topic's relevance in real-world scenarios, sparking students' interest in how these concepts unfold in today's world.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine a small group of students at your school decides to organize a protest about insufficient funding for education. What strategies might they use to persuade local authorities to reconsider their policies?

2. Think about a scenario where a well-known Canadian actor chooses to run for political office. How could their celebrity status influence their campaign and subsequent performance in that role, in terms of power dynamics?

Contextualization

Politics and power aren't just concepts confined to textbooks; they play a significant role in our daily lives. For example, we can observe how government policies impact the economy or how social media shapes public opinion. Historical events like Confederation or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms vividly illustrate how shifts in political power can change the course of Canadian history.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development phase allows students to actively and practically apply the concepts of politics and power they have learned. Through engaging activities like categorizing types of power, simulating elections, and dramatizing conflicts, students explore and understand the dynamics of power and its impact on politics while honing their critical and analytical skills. This approach solidifies theoretical knowledge while also fostering teamwork and reasoning abilities.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - The Political Power Wheel

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Comprehend and categorize various types of political power and their relational influences.

- Description: In this activity, students will form groups of up to 5. Each group will receive a set of cards representing various types of political power (e.g., economic, military, media, moral). Their task will be to categorize these powers in a 'power wheel,’ indicating which types of power are most influential in contemporary politics and which are lesser in influence.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Distribute the power cards to each group.

• Explain that each card represents a different type of political power.

• Facilitate a discussion within the groups about their perceptions of power hierarchies using the power wheel.

• Each group must justify each type of power's position on the wheel with real or hypothetical examples.

• Finally, each group will share their power wheel and rationale with the class.

Activity 2 - Classroom Election Simulation

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Investigate how various power types can sway the electoral process.

- Description: In this activity, students will simulate an election for a school position, such as class representative. Each group will act as a different candidate and will design their political platform based on different types of power (e.g., economic, media, social influence). Following the campaign, the class will vote and discuss the outcome.

- Instructions:

• Organize groups of up to 5 students, each representing a different candidate.

• Each group must select a type of power to base their campaign on (economic, media, etc.).

• Groups will have time to prepare their campaign materials, including slogans, posters, and speeches.

• Conduct the campaign in class, allowing each group to present their platform and respond to questions from the 'voters.'

• Hold an anonymous vote and announce the winner.

• Engage the class in a discussion about how different power types influenced the campaign and the results.

Activity 3 - Dramatization of Political Conflicts

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze the application of different power types in conflicts and the outcomes of their negotiations.

- Description: Students, divided into groups, will select a real or hypothetical political conflict to dramatize. Each group will portray different stakeholders in the conflict, applying the power concepts studied to negotiate and resolve the conflict, either peacefully or otherwise.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of up to 5 students and assign each group a political conflict.

• Groups should conduct research and prepare their roles, detailing the motivations and power dynamics they represent.

• Facilitate the dramatization in class, allowing each group to present their stances and negotiate with one another.

• Lead a discussion after the dramatizations, prompting reflections on power usage in the conflict and potential resolutions.

• Have each group write a brief report on their insights from the activity.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback phase is essential for consolidating students' learning and enabling a collective reflection on the activities. By discussing in groups, students can verbalize and share their perspectives, clarifying any uncertainty and deepening comprehension. Furthermore, this discussion encourages communication and critical thinking skills, fundamental for a nuanced understanding of political dynamics.

Group Discussion

After the activities, gather all students for a large group discussion. Kick off the session with a brief intro: 'Now that everyone has delved into different facets of political power, let’s share our findings and insights. Each group will have the opportunity to summarize their discussions and learning from the activities.' Encourage students to think critically and explore how the concepts examined through the activities relate to real-world power and political situations.

Key Questions

1. What types of power were most influential in the activities, and why?

2. How does understanding different power types aid in analyzing actual political events?

3. In which ways did the activities alter or reinforce your views on political power?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to reinforce learning by connecting practical activities with the theoretical content studied, underscoring the significance of the topic. This final reflection helps students consolidate their knowledge and recognize its relevance to everyday life, preparing them for a more engaged and critical understanding of power dynamics in society.

Summary

In this final stage, the teacher should encapsulate the core points discussed regarding the construction of the power concept and its interplay with politics, showcasing the types of power explored and their manifestations in real-life scenarios and practical activities. It is crucial to revisit definitions and established hierarchies to ensure that students have a clear grasp of the material.

Theory Connection

Today’s lesson was tailored to link the theory studied at home with practical applications in the classroom. Activities like the 'Political Power Wheel,' 'Classroom Election Simulation,' and 'Dramatization of Political Conflicts' allowed students to apply theoretical concepts in tangible settings, facilitating a deeper and more contextualized understanding of political power.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the importance of studying politics and power for students' lives. Grasping these concepts not only enhances their academic knowledge but also empowers them to be informed and engaged citizens, capable of critically examining the world around them and participating actively in society.