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How can we be informed consumers? (Complete scheme of work)

Key stage 3 (ages 11-14) • Sustainability • Core Curriculum

How can we be informed consumers?

About this scheme of work

This scheme of work covers topics related to finance, human rights, sustainability and legislation.

Students begin by considering the factors that influence how we choose to spend our money, including an introduction to price, value and budgeting. They then focus on ethical considerations and consumerism, learning about sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals, environmental issues and fair trade. With a focus on the clothing industry, they learn about child labour and related rights and legislation.

The scheme of work culminates in students planning a campaign to raise awareness of being an informed consumer, laying the foundations for active citizenship.

This scheme of work forms part of our model core curriculum which is exclusively available to School and College Members.

National curriculum links
Develop pupils’ understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens; develop skills to research and interrogate evidence, debate and evaluate viewpoints, present reasoned arguments; the functions and uses of money, the importance and practice of budgeting

Citizenship skills
Making judgements, financial literacy, decision-making, critical thinking, planning, evaluation, investigation, analysis, political literacy, representing your views to others, collaborative working, active participation, raising awareness

Citizenship concepts
Ethics, fairness, responsibilities, making a difference, equality vs equity, sustainability, community cohesion, legislation, respect, identity, rights, justice, discrimination, equal opportunities, freedom, conflict, change, media, society, consumer power

Building progression
This scheme of work is part of ACT’s model core curriculum for Citizenship in secondary schools, which has been designed to develop and deepen students’ knowledge, skills and understanding throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. Other units linked to this Year 7 scheme of work include:

Year 8: What can be done to improve our local economy? (coming soon)

Year 10: Who really has the power to make change? (coming soon)

Year 11: What has the UK economy got to do with me?

Join as a School and College Member to access this complete collection of lesson plans, slides and support resources.