Poverty - Citizenship Keystage 3

1. Summarize all the sections in the theme of Poverty, as well as further research found in Our community 1920-1940. Ask students to -

• compare people's attitudes to their local community to today.
• discuss possible reasons why there is more litter, vandalism and theft today.
• devise a campaign to draw awareness of these issues and their cost and subsequent effect on the local community (i.e., school). The campaign could include an assembly presentation, posters, leaflets and power-point presentations. (suitable for Year 8, Local Community and GCSE Citizenship coursework)

2. Read the section Hard times, good times.
Research what the current unemployment rate in Brighton and Hove is. Find out about the welfare state (a brief history can be found here). Ask students -

• what is it called, who is eligible, how does it work? Who pays for it? What other state benefits are available and for whom?
• what charities are you aware of that help people in a situation of poverty or need in your local area? Are there any areas, peoples that you can identify that do need help (monetary or other?)

In small groups, students to identify an area in their local community that could benefit from help, e.g., old people's home needing entertainment, books etc. Students to organise and carry out a way of contributing to this situation and write it up as their Citizenship coursework task.
(GCSE Citizenship coursework)

3. Read the extract 'In a Social History of Housing 1815-1970...' from Living in 'slum' conditions, and compare to Local Council responsibility, in particular Council Tax and Agenda 21, today.

• Find out Council Tax prices in your area and what the money is used for.
• Find out what your Local Council (http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/) does under Agenda 21.

In small groups, students to identify an area of their local community that could benefit Agenda 21, e.g., arranging for recycling bins around your school or raising people awareness of recycling and how to do it. Students to organise and carry out a way of contributing to this situation and write it up as their Citizenship coursework task. (GCSE Citizenship coursework)