ESH360 - AT1.1 Civics and Citizenship

Grade 5 - Civics and Citizenship 

(everydayfeminism, 2018).



What are we learning?
This term year 5 students learn about civics and citizenship (CC), furthermore exploring the democracy of Australia. This unit of work enables students to become active and informed citizens (Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2019). As a class, students will learn about the importance of the key values of Australian democracy; freedom, equality, fairness and justice), (ACARA, 2019), preparing them to understand a complex and changing world. Within this unit of work students develop their own opinions, beliefs and values on both a local and national scale.
(MCEETYA, 2008).

Why are we learning this?
Civics and citizenship education (CCE) is about ensuring that students have the skills and values to become active and informed citizens (Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, 2008). Students achieve this through general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities evident on ACARA: ICT, literacy, ethical understanding and critical and creative thinking (ACARA, 2019). CCE seeks to promote students with knowledge and understanding of Australia’s democracy that equips them with the skills, attitudes, values and dispositions to fully participate as a citizen within their community and the overall nation (Education Services Australia, 2011). Students work within a safe environment, without judgement; and relate issues to real-life concepts; in turn creating a rich and engaging learning space (Gilbert and Hoepper, 2014).
(ACARA, 2019).

How are we learning this?
Prior to commencing this unit of work, student’s knowledge was determined; involving discussions about: what a citizen is, law and rules and human rights. As a class we brainstormed democratic language (See figure 2) and constructed definitions. Following this activity many discussions arose activating student’s prior knowledge. Students are asked the three following questions: Who are you? Where are you from? What are your rights? Students work in groups answering the questions, sharing time is accolated at the end; practically focussing on ‘their rights’. The class discusses ‘ways to show justice and fairness at school’ and the importance of this. The unit commences with an excursion to a local parliament house. Each class will be posed with a controversial issue they have learnt about; such as ‘is our justice system fair?’. Students will debate against another class, leaving two grade 5 classes to vote for which team has the strongest arguments. Throughout this activity students are reminded to be respectful of other students opinions and beliefs. This kind of allows for all levels of learning, ensuring all students can participate and be engaged (Marsh, Clarke & Pittaway, 2014).
(wordpress, 2017).

(ACARA, 2019). 

(ACARA, 2019). 



Parent involvement?
Parents/carers are encouraged to discuss with their child at home, posing questions to your child will enabling deeper thinking. Asking your child how they feel about topics they are interested in will begin to develop their own opinions and beliefs.  
An excursion to the local parliament: last Wednesday of Term (April 17th). Not only will it be great for parents/carers to come along and watch the students in action, we need parent help moving to and from the destination.


(ACARA, 2019).



References: 


Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2019). Civics and Citizenship.  Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/humani
ties-and-social-sciences/hass/?year=12101&strand=Inquiry+and+skills&strand=Knowledge+and+Understanding&capab

ility=ignore&capability=Literacy&capability=Numeracy&capability=Information+and+Communication+Technology+%28ICT%29+Capability&capability=Critical+and+Creative+Thinking&capability=Personal+and+Social+Capability&capab
ility=Ethical+Understanding&capability=Intercultural+Understanding&priority=ignore&priority=Abor
iginal+and+Torres+Strait+Islander+Histories+and+Cultures&priority=Asia+and+Australia%E2%80%99s+Engagement+with+Asia&priority=Sustainability&elaborations=true&elaborations=false&scotterms=false&isFirstPageLoad=false

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2019).
General Capabilities. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/


Education Services Australia. (2011). About Civics and Citizenship Education. Retrieved from: http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/about_civics_and_citizenship_education,9625.html

Gilbert, R., & Hoepper, B. (2014). Teaching humanities and social sciences: History, geography, economics and citizenship in Australian Curriculum. South Melbourne, VIC: Cengage Learning Australia.

Marsh, C., Clark, M., & Pittaway, S. (2014). Marsh’s becoming a teacher (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson. 

Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Education Goals for Young Australians.
http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/national_declaration_on_the_educational_goals_for_young_ausralians.pdf

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