Hands Up! - exploring decision-making and action in our place
- ARTICLES
Teacher notes
Hands up! examines issues at the heart of citizenship and involvement in society. It encourages students working at levels 1-4, to become socially and 'politically' active in issues relevant to their own lives, starting in their school and local community. This resource provides information for teachers in a 'ready-to-use' format. The seven activities build sequentially and are linked to the concepts outlined in the conceptual overview. Students will learn more by 'doing' than just reading or being told about political process. Read more »
Activity 1: Hands up for belonging
Students will participate in a postbox activity to identify and classify groups students belong to. They will record these groups on an 'onion diagram'. Read more »
Activity 2: Many hands together...
Students will examine two of the groups they discussed in Activity 1. They will look at who belongs to them and why these groups exist (their purpose). Students will consider how a group can work to make a change in the school environment. Read more »
Activity 3: Hands on group interactions
Students will participate in 'Directed play' and reflect on roles imposed on their peer groups. They will examine the 'rules' that govern groups such as a family or a classroom. Read more »
Activity 4: Hands on decision making
Students participate in group decision-making processes - initially as they wish and secondly with imposed decision-making models on the role-plays they develop. Read more »
Activity 5: In the hands of the government
Students explore the links between decision making models and systems of government in the Asia-Pacific region. They play dominoes to consolidate new words. Read more »
Activity 6: Active hands and voices in New Zealand
Students classify some responsibilities of local and national government. Examples of work councils have done provide the basis for a storyboard for a TV Reality show 'Think Global Act Local'. Read more »
Activity 7: Give them a hand
Students learn about other active students who have made a change in their worlds. They consider how they can participate in issues of relevance to their own community. Read more »
