What is an active citizenship project and what skills do I need?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what active citizenship is, and describe what skills are needed to carry out an active citizenship project.
Key learning points
- An active citizenship project should connect to broader Citizenship concepts like democracy, law, rights and equality.
- There are three stages in the active citizenship project cycle: planning, taking action and measuring impact.
- Active citizens need several skills to carry out a successful active citizenship project.
- Case studies are crucial for active citizenship as they give us a real-world, complete view of an issue.
Keywords
Active citizenship - the process of learning how to take part in democracy and use Citizenship knowledge, skills and understanding to work together and try to make a positive difference in the world
Active citizen - a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern and tries to make a positive difference in their community
Skills - abilities or expertise gained through practice or experience to perform tasks effectively
Case study - a detailed examination or investigation of a person, group or event over a period of time
Common misconception
Active citizens are always high-profile people.
Anyone can be an active citizen. Active citizenship projects can be at a local, national or international level; the key purpose is to make a positive difference in society.
Teacher tip
When researching case studies, guide pupils to focus on both the facts and the broader impact of the issue. Encourage them to explore multiple perspectives and link the case study to Citizenship concepts for a deeper understanding.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to its definition.
a system of government where we vote in elections for representatives
people living together in an ordered community
actions/events organised by an individual/group to achieve an aim
Q2.Which answer best describes an 'active citizen'?
Q3.Which method of citizen action in a democracy is being described? 'When an individual or a group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign.'
Q4.Which of the following best describes 'effective change'?
Q5.What method of action is being described? 'Refusing to buy a product or use a service as a protest.'
Q6.What does NGO stand for?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is this describing? 'The process of learning how to take part in democracy and use Citizenship knowledge, skills and understanding to work together and make a positive difference in the world.'
Q2.Which of the following best describes active citizenship projects? Active citizenship projects are ...
Q3.Which are examples of historic active citizens?
Q4.Match the active citizen to their cause.
national Post Office scandal activist
international climate activist
local water rights activist
Q5.Put the stages of the active citizenship project cycle into the correct order.
Q6.When should a goal be decided in an active citizenship project?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is an active citizenship project and what skills do I need?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is an active citizenship project and what skills do I need?, 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 4 citizenship lessons from the How can we make a difference in society? Active citizenship project unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.