Open your
eyes to civics and citizenship education…
What is civics and citizenship
education?
In
an upcoming unit, our classroom will be focusing on controversial issues.
Students will participate in lessons promoting discussion of issues relating to
equity and human rights. After initial discussions, students’ will then be
asked to make informed decisions about controversial topics. This will
encourage the questioning of others, establishment beliefs and encourage open-mindedness.
What is the purpose of civics and
citizenship education?
Civics
and citizenship education covers diversity and discovering differences of
Australian Society. Given the opportunity to debate controversial topics, will promote discussion and problem solving skills. General capabilities of the Australian Curriculum encompass critical and creative thinking as a life skill. The collection of evidence, asks students to piece together a logical
argument to make an informed decision. Having the ability to think
critically and creatively should allow students’ to solve problems that relate
to them as individuals and as a community by considering all that is positive
and negative in any issue.
.
Why is this important to our students?
With
the click of a button, children can access new information. This information can
be delivered through bias, where children only see one side of a story. Civics
and citizenship teaches students to make informed decisions about political and
social issues that relate to both their world and the world as one community. Faced
with making these decisions in their daily life, students’ should be equipped
with the skills to consider alternatives.
How do we do it?
To develop arguments and collect evidence,
students will be required to research and thoroughly consider the topic. To begin, we will watch a short clip on homeschooling. From here children will have the opportunity to research and explore the topic. Through exploration of the topic, children will be able to make informed decisions and consider whether homeschooling is a good or bad idea. Students will present a three minute speech arguing for or against the following question.
Question: Should
Australian kids be home schooled?
What will discussion
and research look like in our classroom?
·
Think, pair, share
·
Small group debates
·
Small group discussions
·
Role plays
·
Collection of evidence
·
Reasoning and justification
This
unit allows students to develop skills to make informed decisions. When dealing
with controversial issues and topics in society, students need the correct
tools to make informed decisions and to have meaningful discussions. A goal in 21st century education suggests that children should become active and informed citizens. Making good
decisions will create lifelong learning for each child within the classroom.
What can you do?
Continue
these debates at home with your children to extend on such skills. Teaching and
debating controversial issues may be overwhelming for your children, offering
them support and suggestions at home may assist their learning at school.
Celebrate your child’s individuality and freedom to make choices.
Want
to know more? Look at this great resource for parents to explore considering
civics and citizenship:
No comments:
Post a Comment