Our Government Our Election

The social studies classroom is a public square. Young citizens assemble to understand society as it exists, debate the ways society should change, and propose how to accomplish change. With this understanding, PLEA has created the fourth edition of Our Government, Our Election to build civic-mindedness.

Our Government, Our Election explores Saskatchewan’s government, politics, and the electoral process. Each section has a specific focus:

SECTION ONE: THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
Section One introduces the foundational purpose of government in society, considering:

• the concept of democracy;
• how laws and regulations play a role in society;
• the role of public services; and
• how governments raise revenue.

SECTION TWO: THE MECHANICS OF GOVERNMENT
Section Two explores how laws are made and how governments can be held to account, considering:

• the make-up of the legislature;
• the creation of written laws;
• the role of opposition parties;
• the role of the media; and
• the role of the citizen.

SECTION THREE: THE ELECTION OF GOVERNMENT
Section Three explains how we elect our governments, considering:

• forming governments;
• voting processes;
• political parties;
• local candidates; and
• election results.

These lessons are not meant to be prescriptive or holistic. Teachers are the professionals best-situated to facilitate student learning. Thus, the material in Our Government, Our Election is only meant to act as a suggested starting point. There are many other excellent resources on governance and elections that can help build a diverse approach to teaching social studies. Some suggestions are referenced in this resource’s lessons.

Feedback on this or any other PLEA learning resource is always appreciated. Drop us a line.