Lesson 1 Understanding Social Issues

What are the social issues affecting our community? Share Key Learning question with students. Students will look at what a social issue is and what kinds of social issues affect our communities before reflecting on their community and what issues exist there that they would like to have a positive impact on.

Watch the videos Write down: 02 One thing you learnt. One question you have about what you have seen. Choose two of the films from the Lesson 1 folder and show them here.

02 What is a social issue? Based on what you’ve seen and what you learnt at the assembly, what do you think the definition of a social issue is? Write down your class definition of social issue. Watch a second video clip. Students should write down their own definition of a social issue based on their understanding from the Launch Assembly and the videos they have watched. Then through a class discussion lead the students to a class definition of a social issue. We recommend something like: “Social issues are problems that affect a number of people that prevent them from fully participating in society”

Identify causes and make links: 03 Identify causes and make links: Listen to the case study. When you identify a social issue, write it in your coursebook. Remember: It’s all about being able to discuss the links between them. Read out the Case Study and ask students to write out the social issues as they are mentioned. Ask students to draw links of cause and effect between the boxes. Click the image to enlarge

04 Who’s responsible? In pairs or groups, discuss how the groups on page 4 of your coursebook should address social issues. What might prevent each group from being effective? For example: Depending on the level of your students you may wish to deliver this session as a full class activity. The Government pays for the National Health Service and Education for all citizens. Some social issues don’t receive direct Government support because of limited funds.

What are the social issues in our area? 05 What are the social issues in our area? Use the diagram on page 5 of your coursebook to list as many ideas as you can. As a class, brainstorm the social issues in your local area. Click the image to enlarge

05 What’s our issue? Get students into teams of 4-6 students. Ask them to decide upon a top social issue that they think is important to address.

People with disabilities 06 Stuck for ideas? Circle any groups or issues you’re interested in: Groups Young people People with disabilities Old People Unemployed Poor People Children Refugees Minority groups Issues Mental Illness Terminal illness Homelessness Drug Abuse Poverty Domestic Violence Equal Rights Gang Violence

05 understanding of social issues?

Preparation for next lesson In the next lesson, you will be researching charities that already work on your social issue. Learning about a charity will help you to convince the rest of the class to choose them for your class charity. Before that, you can: Talk to friends and family about local charities that address your social issue. Set small homework task for next lesson.