Using the DD resources to teach about civic values:

Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Collection

The Australian Readers contain a range of fictional, factual, historical and contemporary texts that support the understanding of civic values in the classroom and allow students to reflect on the links between what they read and their own society.

The following are some examples from these texts.

Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Lower Primary Collection
The Bindi Gully Band, Stacey Hattensenpp 2– 18Community values
Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Middle Primary Collection
The Cemetery Committee, Nina Bawdenpp 11– 13Good and bad rules and laws
Equal Opportunity, Jim Wong-Chupp 18– 19Fair and unfair laws
Common Ground, Bruce Woodley and Terry McArthurpp 22– 3Qualities and values of Australians
Australians Don't Have Goats, Nadia Wheatleypp 30– 1Qualities and values of Australians
Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Upper Primary Collection
Freedom, Anon.pp 2– 3Valuing liberty, equality and fraternity
Making Change, Theresa Tomlinsonpp 8– 9The right to vote
I Have a Dream, Martin Luther Kingp 12Freedom
The Australian Citizenship Pledgep 26Patriotism and loyalty
The Stone in the Road, Anon.p 31Responsibilities of citizens
Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Lower Secondary Collection
The Rights of Man, Thomas Painep 4Human rights
Two Philosophers Debate Democracypp 8– 9Participation and representation in government
Why Our Parliaments Matter, RG Menziesp 51Values of parliamentary democracy
Freedom Isn't Just a Word, Brian Caswell and David Phu An Chiempp 60– 1Freedom
Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Middle Secondary Collection
A Woman's Place, Edith Cowanpp 12– 14Political equality
Trying to Change the World, Charles Perkinspp 17– 18Political equality
An Australian Citizen First, Neville Bonnerp 18Indigenous equality
Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther Kingpp 22– 4Just laws
I Have a Dream, Martin Luther Kingpp 36– 7Political equality
Through My Eyes, Ella Simonpp 38– 40Equality for Indigenous citizens
Australian Readers Discovering Democracy Upper Secondary Collection
Challenging Attitudes – The Power of the Press, The Dawnpp 16– 17Political participation; the rights of women
What Makes Democracy Possible?, Charles-Louis Montesquieup 36The common good
Someone Has To Take Charge, Jean Anouilhpp 39– 40The individual versus authority
What To Do? The Problem with Dirty Hands, Michael Walzerp 43Is it possible to avoid moral compromise as a leader?
A Struggle Withinp 49The oppression of women
Who is My Neighbour?, The Biblep 56Compassion for others
Ethics for a Global World, Peter Singerp 63Global ethics and good citizenship
Humanising Globalisationp 64Human rights for all

Discovering Democracy Units

Through the Discovering Democracy Units, teachers can introduce students to the principles of Australian democracy and implicit civic values. These principles are studied through understanding historical and contemporary contexts, developing critical understanding of events and looking at issues of contemporary democratic participation.

Discovering Democracy Middle Primary Units
UnitLearning contexts and democratic values
Stories of People and RulersAncient Egypt, Ancient Greece, contemporary Australia
Representative democracies and citizens rights.
Rules and LawsSchool rules, road laws, Aboriginal law, parliamentary law
Rules and laws – what is fair?
We RememberAustralia What symbols do Australians use to show who they are and what they value?
Investigation of the symbols of state and of our nation from the past, present and future, and what these say and should say about Australia.
Joining InSchool and community groups
Active participation in community.
Discovering Democracy Upper Primary Units
UnitLearning contexts and democratic values
Parliament versus MonarchMagna Carta, King Charles 1, Australia
The transfer of power from the monarch to the people through representative parliamentary democracy.
Importance of voting in a representative democracy.
How people have the power in Australia's democracy.
The People Make a NationPre-federation and contemporary Australia
Reasons for federation and the role of the people in effecting it. The sharing of power between the States and the Commonwealth and the levels of government in Australia's democracy.
The Law RulesHistorical and contemporary judicial procedure
The rule of law in Australia: the right to a fair trial, the process of making laws, the independence of the courts, equality before the law.
People PowerThe Australian Freedom Rides, the Eight-hour Day movement, the campaign for equal pay for women
Investigation of the kinds, structures and functions of groups in a community, and the ways people can participate in a democracy.
Discovering Democracy Lower Secondary Units
UnitLearning contexts and democratic values
Should the People Rule?Ancient Athens and Sparta, contemporary Australia
Characteristics of governance.
Features of a representative democracy.
LawAncient law, Saxon law, Aboriginal law, constitutions, court operation
The role of laws in protecting citizens' rights and wellbeing and to acknowledge what is right and wrong.
Issues about proposed new laws.
The role of the constitution in determining the powers of governments and the independence of the High Court in interpreting the laws passes by parliament.
Fair laws and features of a fair trial.
Democratic StrugglesThe Chartists, the Eureka rebellion, the Australian Constitution, the 1938 Day of Mourning and the 1967 referendum
Elements of a fair democracy: suffrage, secret ballot, equal electorates, payment for Members of Parliament, regular elections, the campaigns for achievement of rights at Eureka, votes for women and Aboriginal citizenship.
Men and Women in Political lifeAustralian political leaders
Qualities and values of leaders.
Discovering Democracy Middle Secondary Units
UnitLearning contexts and democratic values
Parties Control ParliamentPolitical parties
Representing the interests of the people, polling and influencing voters.
A Democracy DestroyedNazi Germany, contemporary Australia
Features of democracy, threats to democracy, using the legal system for undemocratic purposes.
Human RightsDeclaration of Independence (USA), Declaration of the Rights of Man (France), the Bill of Rights (USA), UN Declaration of Human Rights, Australian Constitution
The kinds and historical development of human rights, values associated with particular rights and responsibilities.
Human rights and Aboriginal peoples.
Making a NationAmerican War of Independence, federation, constitutions, the republic debate
Constitutions as a basis for government, the balance of power between governments.
Should Australia become a republic? Argument for and against.
What Sort of Nation?Images and information about Australia
Some of the factors contributing to Australian identity.
Aboriginal peoples, immigration, multiculturalism, economic factors, social security.
Getting Things DoneThe Franklin Dam dispute
How do governments and parties respond to issues?
How effective is direct citizen action?