CHANGEit and Citizenship Curriculum

The citizenship curriculum encourages pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to become better informed and active citizens. CHANGEit complements the citizenship curriculum because it provides advice, support and incentives for young people to begin taking an active role in their communities through campaigning.

CHANGEit lesson plans have been designed to get a class thinking about something they want to create or change – whether that’s a skateboarding park in their area, a drinks machine in their school or a youth club in their town. By getting the class to identify with the subject of change, you will then be in a position to address issues of power, decision-making and the rights and responsibilities of young people as well as develop key skills such as presentation, public speaking, organisation, negotiation and team working.

Lesson plans

Lesson Plan 1: What is campaigning?

This lesson is designed to get young people thinking about the definition of campaigning and considering who campaigners are, and whether they could be one. Handouts: Campaigner case studies
CHANGEit Lesson plan 1

Lesson Plan 2: Things need to change – let’s plan a campaign

This lesson is designed to get young people thinking about what they want to change and what you would need to consider to plan a campaign. Begins to get them working on actual ideas for the school or community. Handouts: Brainstorm your ideas and Exploring the issue
CHANGEit Lesson plan 2

Lesson Plan 3: Building a campaign

This lesson aims to get young people thinking about the practical elements of campaign planning and pin down the actions, methods and resources they will need to carry a campaign forward. Handouts: Planning to CHANGEit
CHANGEit Lesson plan 3

Handouts

Campaigner case studies
Brainstorm your ideas
Exploring the issue
Planning to CHANGEit

Additional resources

Growing ambitions is a UK wide, not-for-profit organisation that puts real people, doing real jobs, in front of young people to tell them what their careers are really like and give them great ideas for their future. It’s a tremendous opportunity to encourage and support young people as they strive to create change now – and in the future. www.growingambitions.org