HMD 2012 Primary Citizenship Lesson Plan: The Terrible Things
Aims: To introduce the idea of respecting diversity to key stage 1 and 2.
Resources: The Terrible Things by Eve Bunting, 1980. The full story is available as a picture book from JPS.
In the full story of The Terrible Things, we see different groups of creatures taken away: the birds, the squirrels, the rabbits, the porcupines, the frogs and the fish.
Ask the children to draw a picture of each of the creatures and then a drawing of themselves. Under each drawing they should write why each creature is special and why we are lucky to have them in our world.
Under the drawing of themselves, they should write why they are special and what they are good at.
Show these pictures to the class, and ask them to think about one brave or kind thing they have done for someone else recently and share it with the class.
Working in groups, ask the children to imagine that they have to look after one group of creatures, for example, the birds. Ask them to imagine that someone has come to take them away, and the children must provide three strong reasons as to why they should stay. They must Speak Up, Speak Out for these animals as they do not have a voice.
Share these ‘arguments’ with the class.
It is hoped that discussions that arise as a consequence of these lesson plans may address the following areas of the Citizenship unit of the National Curriculum
KS1 – Pupils should be taught:
- to recognise what they like and dislike, what is fair and unfair, and what is right and wrong
- to share their opinions on things that matter to them and explain their views
- to take part in discussions with one other person and the whole class
- to take part in a simple debate about topical issues
- to recognise choices they can make, and recognise the difference between right and wrong
- to recognise how their behaviour affects other people
- to listen to other people, and play and work cooperatively
- to identify and respect the differences and similarities between people
- that there are different types of teasing and bullying, that bullying is wrong, and how to get help to deal with bullying.
KS2 – Pupils should be taught:
- to research, discuss and debate topical issues, problems and events
- why and how rules and laws are made and enforced, why different rules are needed in different situations and how to take part in making and changing rules
- to realise the consequences of anti-social and aggressive behaviours, such as bullying and racism, on individuals and communities
- that there are different kinds of responsibilities, rights and duties at home, at school and in the community, and that these can sometimes conflict with each other
- that their actions affect themselves and others, to care about other people’s feelings and to try to see things from their points of view
- to think about the lives of people living in other places and times, and people with different values and customs
- to realise the nature and consequences of racism, teasing, bullying and aggressive behaviours, and how to respond to them and ask for help
- that differences and similarities between people arise from a number of factors, including cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversity, gender and disability
- Primary Citizenship Lesson Plan - Terrible Things (PDF: 103124 KB)