HMD 2012 Primary Citizenship Lesson Plan
Aim:
Pupils learn about the importance of speaking up about things that are not fair, especially when they are happening to others.
Outcomes:
- pupils will be able to discuss ideas of fairness
- pupils will learn about the actions of those who have stood up for others and tried to make changes
- pupils will be able to identify how situations that are unfair can be tackled
Resources:
- the Brian Steidle Case Study adapted for Primary, which can be downloaded below. For more information you can also read the full case study.
Stage 1
On the board at the front of the class write two words: fair and unfair. Ask pupils to shout out things that are unfair and then things that are fair – eg bullying, having to do homework, rules, bedtime, respecting each others belongings etc.
Ask pupils to each write down one or two examples things they think are unfair or fair.
Ask them to write down one or two examples of when they think something unfair has happened to them or their friends or family.
Feedback to the class some of the examples they have come up with.
Stage 2
Ask pupils if they have noticed when things are unfair to others. Start with their friends and family. Then ask if they notice when unfair things happen to people they know but they are not friends with? Example prompt questions
- is it fair if some children are allowed to play outside at break times and others are not?
- is it fair that some children can wear trousers to school and some are not allowed to?
- is it fair that some children get teased because of their height or their hair colour?
Ask the pupils if they have ever spoken out for someone who was being bullied or teased?
Then tell them the adapted story of Brian Steidle.
Explain that Brian’s job did not require him to get involved or to speak out but that he decided he would.
Stage3
Ask the pupils if they think that Brian was right to speak out. It wasn’t his job to speak out and it wasn’t anyone that he knew who was being killed. Do they think he was brave?
Ask the pupils if they can think of some examples of when they could have spoken out.
Ask the pupils to write a list or work in groups to decide ways that they could act if they know about something that is unfair.
Who could they go to?
Who would they speak to?
What would they need to consider before they acted?
- Primary Citizenship Lesson Plan (PDF: 93347 KB)