KS3 Lesson plan - Campaigning

Citizenship KS3
a suggested lesson plan

Campaigning

Lesson objective
Learn how campaigning can be used by individual citizens working together to bring change

 

Introduction (ten minutes) Whole class discussion

What are some of the ways we can use to get things changed in our community?  Local, national, international

Examples to prompt:

    Ballot box
    Petitions
    Campaigns

Today we are going to think about campaigns

Can anyone think of recent or historic campaigns that have brought change?

    Think of a local one that may have succeeded, for example save a hospital, library
    Famous historical campaigns, for example 20th century, women’s vote; 19th century, abolition of slavery

Can anyone think of a recent national campaign that failed recently?

    Change to voting system
Main part of lesson

On whiteboard, show

    Objective of lesson: how can campaigning be used by individual citizens working together to bring change
    Planned lesson outcomes: how to get involved as active citizens

Choosing the topic for the campaign, related to the European Union  (five minutes)

On whiteboard display three possible topics, for example

    Larger allocation of fishing quotas for owners of small boats (of interest to students on South Coast)

    Save pollution and fossil fuels by increased use of biofuels in cars across Europe

    The UK to join the rest of the EU and abolish all border controls, which means no passports when travelling in Europe.

Explain briefly each of the topics and after brief discussion get class by majority show of hands to choose.

Reference
There are several helpful references in this website.

e.g. Use the Search page for:
Common Fisheries Policy, biofuels, Schengen
Planning the campaign
(15 minutes)		 Group activity

Show on whiteboard and explain what parts of the EU and UK government will be the target of the campaign
                
    Fishing policy: European Commission
    Biofuels: initially the Commission then Parliament and Council of Ministers
    Border controls: UK Parliament and European Commission
 
Groups to identify:
    What groups of people to involve in the campaign, (eg MEPs, media, fishermen),
    What types of communication are needed to reach these people, (letters, press releases, invitations to visit school, demonstration in Brussels, Whitehall)

Groups report back
Sum up
(10 minutes)		 Quiz
10 questions on how to conduct a campaign

Conclusion
Orally: What makes a successful campaign
Fact sheets Brief notes on
    common fisheries policy
    biofuels
    Schengen Agreement
Programme of Study

Attainment Target		 1.1 (a-d)
1.2(a-c)
3 (d-f)

Levels: 3 and 4 with extension to 5