Ageism
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what ageism is and how we can safely challenge it.
Key learning points
- Ageism is prejudice or the unfair treatment of people simply because of their age.
- Stereotypes around age, e.g., older people can't learn new things, can lead to prejudice.
- Ageism can have a negative impact on people, such as poor mental health or missed opportunities.
- A person's age is one of the characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010.
- By speaking up safely, being an ally and getting support from trusted adults if needed, we can challenge assumptions.
Keywords
Opportunity - the chance to try something new that could lead to good things
Ageism - treating someone unfairly or being unkind to them just because of how old or young they are
Common misconception
Ageism only impacts older people.
Ageism is prejudice against anyone because of their age, and it can affect young people as well as older people, for example, 'Young people are always glued to screens'.
Teacher tip
Emphasise that challenging discrimination is primarily an adult responsibility. Reinforce that pupils should always involve trusted adults rather than confronting alone.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means when someone judges or dislikes others unfairly, without knowing them?
Q2.What does it mean to make an assumption about someone?
Q3.Prejudice can lead to ...
Q4.Which of these statements is true?
Q5.What does it mean to be an ally?
Q6.The Equality Act 2010 is a law in the UK. What is its main purpose?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does ageism mean?
Q2.Which of these is an age stereotype?
Q3.How can ageism make people feel?
Q4.How does the Equality Act 2010 protect people from ageism?
Q5.Ageism doesn’t just hurt older people - it can hurt people too.
Q6.What is the safest way to challenge ageism?
To help you plan your 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Ageism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Ageism, 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 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Communities: How are we all different? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.