New
New
Year 10

How do I choose a topic to investigate?

I can choose an appropriate topic that will make a difference.

New
New
Year 10

How do I choose a topic to investigate?

I can choose an appropriate topic that will make a difference.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Choose a topic that connects clearly to a key idea or value of citizenship you've studied in class.
  2. Make SMART goals to ensure your actions are focused, achievable, and meaningful for your chosen issue.
  3. Educate others and raise awareness to shift opinions and communicate with decision makers to share your ideas.
  4. Reember that the difference you make could be suble, but this is stil valuable.
  5. Fundraising is helpful, but combine it with awareness to make a real and lasting impact.

Keywords

  • Appropriate - suitable and relevant to the issue, community, and your ability to take action

  • Action - practical steps designed to try to raise public awareness or influence key decision-makers

  • Difference - a positive impact or change that addresses a real need or improves the situation

Common misconception

Young people can't make a real difference in society or influence decision-makers.

Young people can create change by raising awareness, educating others, and working with leaders or organisations.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: How do I choose a topic to investigate?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Look at famous examples of changemakers e.g. Gina Martin, and ask pupils how and why her issue was appropriatte, and how she ensured a difference was made. They could also identity how her targets were SMART.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Order the words to complete this definition of the word, skills. Skills are abilities or expertise gained through...
1 - practice
2 - or
3 - experience
4 - to
5 - perform
6 - tasks
7 - effectively
Q2.
A person who takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern and tries to make a positive difference in their community is known as a what?
apathetic citizen
agnostic citizen
Correct answer: active citizen
attractive citizen
Q3.
What will a changemaker do with others?
ignore
Correct answer: collaborate
mock
Q4.
Match the skill to its description.
Correct Answer:research,looking at blogs, websites, news articles and asking people questions

looking at blogs, websites, news articles and asking people questions

Correct Answer:persuasive,getting others to agree with your viewpoint and support your action

getting others to agree with your viewpoint and support your action

Correct Answer:evaluate,considering what went well and what could be improved

considering what went well and what could be improved

Correct Answer:confidence,having the courage to do what is needed, even if you feel nervous

having the courage to do what is needed, even if you feel nervous

Q5.
Resilience could be described as, a bit like...
walking a dog
Correct answer: running a marathon
watching a film
having a nap
Q6.
If a group are working on an active citizenship project together and needs to make decisions fairly, what citizenship concept could help them?
Correct Answer: democracy

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is step one of your active citizenship project?
plan and get ready
decide on your actions
Correct answer: choose your issue
reflect and evaluate
Q2.
Which is not an appropriate issue to tackle for your project?
the cost of living
lack of local services
Correct answer: substance abuse
the right to vote
Q3.
Democracy, government, law, justice, rights and responsibilities, media, participation, community, equality, identities and diversity are all examples of citizenship...
Correct Answer: concepts
Q4.
What is the final step of your active citizenship project?
Correct answer: step seven - reflect and evaluate
step seven - put your plan into action
step seven - research possible actions
step seven - plan and get ready
Q5.
What does the S in SMART target stand for?
Correct Answer: specific
Q6.
What does the T in SMART target stand for?
time-poor
Correct answer: time-bound
team-building
team-skills