Geography — Government Types: US History, Is The U.S. a Democracy or a Republic
By Geography and Math Made Easy
Is the United States a true democracy or a true republic or a mixture of both? This is a conceptual thinking lesson on government types and systems implemented to encourage students to develop their higher-level thinking skill sets. Students will gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between a Republic and a Democracy by working in cooperative groups to complete a comparison T-Chart. Based on their findings they will be asked to determine if the United States is a true democracy or a true republic. This can be challenging for students who have yet to develop high-level thinking strategies, but we as teachers must help them develop these skills by giving them opportunities to do so. The student will need to back up their decision with reason. It is suggested that teachers participate in students' learning process by rotating from group to group to check for understanding and provide assistance and redirection. This was used in a 7th-grade public school system but can be used at high-grade levels with success. Conceptual teaching is based on taking a concept and going beyond the basic facts to develop a true understanding. Conceptual thinking may be challenging for some students; therefore, as the instructor you may need to provide individual guidance, whether students are working individually or in teams. Learners will strengthen their conceptual thinking skills the more they are encouraged to use these skills. With this lesson, I suggest students work in t
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