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New
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Year 7

How can we get involved in our school community?

I can identify a number of ways we can make a positive difference in our school communities.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

How can we get involved in our school community?

I can identify a number of ways we can make a positive difference in our school communities.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An active citizen is someone who works towards making a positive change in society and in communities.
  2. Understanding who key decision makers are makes active citizens more able to bring about positive change.
  3. An active citizen can campaign by raising awareness, writing letters, and more to bring about change.
  4. There are many famous young active citizens such as Greta Thunberg and Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.
  5. We can use the campaigning methods of famous active citizens to inspire us to make change within our communities.

Keywords

  • Community - a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common

  • 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

  • School council - a formal group of pupils who act as representatives for their fellow students in discussing school issues with the people who run the school

  • Campaigning - actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim

Common misconception

To make a difference within the school community an active citizen has to make a big change.

Even small actions at school can make a meaningful change.

Empower pupils through engaging them with real-life examples from the school in which you teach or from schools within the local area.
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Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word is this the definition for group of people existing together who share particular characteristics?
Correct Answer: community, a community
Q2.
True or false? The word democracy comes from Ancient Greece.
Correct Answer: True, Yes, Correct, T
Q3.
Which of the following are features of a democracy?
free and fair elections
protecton of human rights
equal treatment under the law
Correct answer: all of the above
Q4.
True or false? Treating people fairly always means treating them the same.
Correct Answer: False, No, Incorrect, F
Q5.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:human rights,the basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to

the basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to

Correct Answer:suffrage,the right to vote

the right to vote

Correct Answer:democracy,a system of government in which we vote in regular, fair elections

a system of government in which we vote in regular, fair elections

Q6.
In a democracy, how can you help make decisions and influence leaders?
By following rules and laws without questioning them
Correct answer: By voting, sharing your ideas, and participating in discussions
By waiting for someone else to make decisions for you
By constantly complaining about elected representatives

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:campaigning,actions or events organised by people to achieve an aim

actions or events organised by people to achieve an aim

Correct Answer:school council,a formal group of pupils who act as representatives for their peers

a formal group of pupils who act as representatives for their peers

Correct Answer:active citizen,a person who becomes involved in areas of public concern

a person who becomes involved in areas of public concern

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of being an active citizen in your school?
Correct answer: Putting yourself forward to be on school council
Joining as many after school clubs as you can
Always putting your hand up in class
Helping a friend learn a new skill
Q3.
Which of the following are examples of active citizens who campaigned for sustainability and climate action?
Correct answer: Greta Thunberg
Correct answer: Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
Marcus Rashford
Rosa Parks
Jamie Oliver
Q4.
Which of the following does Article 12 from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child protect?
your right to shelter
Correct answer: your right to express your views
your right to go to school
your right to have access to clean water
Q5.
Why is it important to know who the key decision makers are if you want to make a positive change?
Correct answer: So you can talk to the right people who can help make changes happen
So you can have more people to talk to about your ideas
So you can avoid making any decisions yourself
So you can be sure that everyone is involved in the decision-making process
Q6.
Which of the following is not a key decision maker in a school?
Head teacher
Governor
Deputy head teacher
Correct answer: Member of Parliament (MP)