Learning Strategies

1998 Learning Strategies

Learning Strategy 15

Title
Current Issues/Lesson Plan 1 : What Matters To You

Submitted By
Lois Gluck (AB)

Audience
7-9

General Learning Objective

To understand the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and government bodies, as well as to recognise the features of the dynamic interplay between them.
To appreciate and to respect the benefits of our Canadian parliamentary system.

To develop the critical analysis skill necessary to deal with fundamental issues relating to Canadian parliamentary democracy.

knowledge 4

attitude 4

skills 4

Unit Objective, if applicable (3 to 6 hours)

After a general overview of government, students will narrow their focus to an understanding of the genesis of a bill from a conceptual idea to signing the bill into law.

Lesson Objectives

To identify and prioritize current issues that affect the student and his / her family and that may require action and could become part of a party platform.

Provincially Prescribed Materials

Supplementary Materials

Current newspapers, magazines, television, interviews with family members.

Method

Teacher brings a clipping from a local newspaper on a local issue that will cause discussion among the students OR teacher introduces a scenario that will cause discussion (ex. curfew to be imposed on all school children; drinking age to be raised to 21).
Ask students what they think and what they can do about it.
Discuss the term "political action".
Distribute newspapers and have students individually identify issues that affect them and / or their families and / or community. Direct them to Letters to the Editor and Editorials as well as feature articles.
Each student chooses 3 issues from their list that they feel are the most important to them and for which they will seek solutions.

Corresponding Instruction or Activity Sheet (if applicable)

Indicators of Student Success

- At the end of class, students will each have chosen and listed their three choices.

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