- Use a text extract, pictures, a cartoon or perhaps an oral report to start a discussion about a current issue or recent news story (immunisation examples include:
vaccination against foot and mouth disease, the MMR [measles/mumps/rubella]
vaccine, annual vaccination against flu for the elderly, biological weapons).
A directed reading activity based on a newspaper article might prepare pupils for
a better discussion.
- Ask the pupils about their own experiences of and opinions about the current topic, noting (or adding) differing viewpoints. For example, pupils are likely to have had DPT [diphtheria/polio/tetanus] and whooping cough vaccinations, a BCG and perhaps some other vaccination(s) in preparation for a trip abroad. They may need to be prompted to think about the purpose of vaccination.
- If the pupils are not sufficiently well informed to express opinions on the chosen issue, begin with a sorting exercise. Give them six statements that sum up the major positions in the debate, and ask them to sort these statements into two categories: 'I agree with' and 'I disagree with'.
- From this introduction, make a list of key words: both citizenship words, eg fact, opinion, objective, subjective, controversial, and relevant science words, eg micro-organism (microbe), public health, infectious disease, epidemic, quarantine, immune, host (carrier).
|
|
- decide on a contemporary issue to investigate that involves both citizenship and science
- identify features of media reporting, eg incomplete information, and learn to distinguish between opinion and fact
- discuss the media coverage of a contemporary issue and summarise their views of a media report
- know that viruses, bacteria and fungi are all micro-organisms
|
