How do citizens take action?
I can explain how citizens can take action in a democracy and what makes an action effective.
How do citizens take action?
I can explain how citizens can take action in a democracy and what makes an action effective.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UK is a representative democracy where citizens can influence the country's decisions.
- Article 21 of the UDHR guarantees citizens the right to participate in politics through choosing their representatives.
- Citizens can take action in democracy through voting, social media, petitions, lobbying, demonstrations and boycotts.
- Successful campaigns use effective methods like a clear message and public support.
- Effective actions also require support from those in power, financial backing and determination to succeed.
Keywords
Democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
Citizen - a person who was born in a particular country and has certain rights or has been given certain rights because of having lived there
Effective - getting the results you want in a way that works well and doesn’t waste time or effort
Common misconception
Only people in power can take effective action.
Every citizen can take effective action to make lasting change to their local, national or global community. You do not need to be in a position of power to take effective action.
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: How do citizens take action?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: How do citizens take action?, 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 3 citizenship lessons from the How can citizens bring about change? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the unelected part of Parliament which has about 800 members
the elected part of Parliament which has 650 MPs
the body that makes laws in the UK
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a system of government in which citizens vote in fair elections
a person who was born in a particular country or lives there
getting the results you want in a way that works well
a group taking to the streets
refusing to do or buy something
a group of signatures for a cause