How can we campaign and influence change?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what campaigning is, identify successful examples of campaigns and explain ways to lobby.
Key learning points
- Campaigning involves persuading individuals to support a cause or alter their behaviour through organised actions.
- The use of social media and online campaigns are a powerful mechanism for raising awareness and mobilising support.
- Lobbying targets decision-makers, including MPs and Peers, to advocate for action on specific issues.
- Effective lobbying can result in policy changes or localised improvements, contributing to societal advancements.
- Campaigning and lobbying are essential democratic rights so individuals can influence decisions and promote change.
Keywords
Campaign - actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim
Campaigning - the process of persuading people to support a campaign or to change their behaviour
Lobby - when an individual or a group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign; lobbying can be done in person, by sending letters or emails, or via social media
Common misconception
You can only lobby MPs.
You can lobby MPs, local councillors and any politicans to try and influence change. Any decision-maker can be lobbied.
Teacher tip
You could contact a local councillor who could answer questions about lobbying from your class, either online or in person if all the safeguarding requirements are met. This would give pupils a real perspective on what it is like to lobby for change.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with its correct definition.
collections of people or things that share something in common
people living together in an ordered community
the process of becoming different or making something different
Q2.Order the name of the pressure group that protects the rights of animals.
Q3.What are petitions, marches and demonstrations examples of?
Q4.Groups that try to persuade the Government, or those in power, to do something or change something are called?
Q5.Greenpeace help to protect the for future generations.
Q6.The Fair movement is an example of a social movement.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with the correct definition.
the process of persuading people to support them achieve an aim
actions or events organised by people to achieve an aim
when people try to persuade someone in Parliament to support an issue
Q2. Which source of new media is a powerful mechanism for spreading awareness and mobilising support?
Q3.Who can you not lobby?
Q4.What can happen as a result of lobbying?
Q5.Lots of charities provide advice on how to lobby, offering guidance on how to write to the Government and how to set up a with your MP to see them face-to-face.
Q6.Campaigning and lobbying are essential parts of the UK governmental system which is called a ...
To help you plan your 8 citizenship lesson on: How can we campaign and influence change?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 citizenship lesson on: How can we campaign and influence change?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How can citizens bring about change? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.