What can citizens do?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain a range of actions citizens may take to respond to global humanitarian problems.
Key learning points
- The Homes for Ukraine scheme is a key example of UK citizenship action in response to a global humanitarian crisis.
- Demonstrations are a key form of citizenship action that raise awareness and express views on global conflicts.
- Citizens worldwide use demonstrations to raise awareness and express their views about the Gaza conflict.
- Voting and other citizenship actions can influence government, but change may take time and face challenges.
Keywords
Citizenship action - taking part as an active citizen; an active citizen is a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern & tries to make a positive difference in their community
Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their home due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted
Demonstration - a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue
Common misconception
Voting is the only way citizens can make a difference in global humanitarian issues.
There are numerous things citizens can do, for example, they can also take part in demonstrations, volunteer schemes, and other actions that raise awareness and provide direct support, all of which contribute to making a difference.
Teacher tip
Before teaching this lesson, review the case studies to ensure they are appropriate for your class. As they involve ongoing conflicts, please also check for any recent updates or developments.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What causes climate refugees?
Q2.The UK is one of five permanent members of what council?
Q3.Which of these is not an example of a global humanitarian problem?
Q4.An is someone who has left their home country and is now living in a different country, seeking protection so they don’t have to return to their home country.
Q5.In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, which of the following is deployed to help?
Q6.Which country accepted a large number of Syrian refugees and set about integrating them into society by education programmes?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What scheme has seen UK citizens offer 131,000 homes to Ukrainians as of August 2023?
Q2.Which country has taken the most refugees from Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began?
Q3.Why might citizens take part in a demonstration?
Q4.Across the UK, students have taken part in demonstrations by creating what on campuses in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict?
Q5.Which statement best reflects how citizens can influence government?
Q6.Match the terms to the right definition.
a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue
joining in and being an active citizen
someone forced to leave their home due to persecution
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What can citizens do?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What can citizens do?, 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 does the international community respond to global humanitarian problems? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.