Lesson Plan: Animals in War
Time Period: Ideally spread over two lessons, with homework or computer suite time. This project is self-guided.
Age range: 12-14
About this lesson
Students will carry out their own investigation into the issue of Animals in War. While it looks back to the history of animal exploitation and the need for charitable organisations like PDSA, it also looks to the future and asks students to communicate their opinions.
Learning Intentions
The project encourages research, analysis, consideration of evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating ideas. It is also tied into the history of Britain since 1900, comparison of source materials and a number of useful citizenship requirements.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the project students will have explored PDSA's history, Maria Dickin, CBE, and the use of animals in war.
Prior Learning
Although no prior learning is essential, it is helpful if students have some knowledge of the first and second world wars, and have developed their IT and communication skills to be able to download and print Word documents, images and graphics.
Links to the National Curriculum England and Wales
Subject
History KS3
Syllabus Link
Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past
1. Pupils should be taught:
a) to describe and analyse the relationships between the characteristic features of the periods and societies studied including the experiences and range of ideas, beliefs and attitudes of men, women and children in the past;
b) about the social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of the societies studied, both in Britain and the wider world;
c) to analyse and explain the reasons for, and results of, the historical events, situations and changes in the periods studied;
d) to identify trends, both within and across different periods, and links between local, British, European and world history;
e) to consider the significance of the main events, people and changes studied.
Subject
Citizenship KS3
Syllabus Link
Developing skills of participation and responsible action
1. Pupils should be taught to:
a) use their imagination to consider other people's experiences and be able to think about, express and explain views that are not their own.
Links to the Scottish Guidelines
Subject
Social subjects: People in the Past , Level S2
Syllabus Link
1. Pupils should be taught to:
a) Explain the motives or actions of people in particular historical situations. Explain the values or attitudes that characterised various societies in the past. Explain why particular societies, people and events from the past are thought to be of significance;
b) Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the main features of a particular event/development/attitude with regard to change and continuity. Give some reasons to explain why a specific historical event/action/development took place and what the specific consequences were;
c) Describe and explain the ways in which contact with other cultures and the media have influenced perceptions of need. Identify the ways in which local/national agencies and individual enterprise can help meet society's needs;
d) Describe some of the rights of young people and laws that affect them. Describe some main factors in selected human rights issues.
Subject
Personal and Social Development Level S2
Syllabus Link
The development of life skills.
1. Pupils should be taught to:
a) have an appropriately positive regard for self, and for others and their needs;
b) develop life skills to enable them to participate effectively and safely in society;
c) identify, review and evaluate the values they and society hold and recognise that these affect thoughts and actions;
d) take increasing responsibility for their own lives.
Keywords
Rights, responsibilities, democracy, population, societies, instability, war, chronology, making judgements, past, evidence, historical source, information, investigations.
Resources
- Computer and data projector
Lesson Structure: Lesson 1
Introduction and Warm-up (Timing: 10 mins)
Show the PDSA Introductory PowerPoint. It will describe in simple terms what PDSA does, the importance of pet care advocated by the 2007 Animal Welfare Act, and the lesson to follow.
Ask students how much they know about PDSA and its work, how old the charity is and whether they know the name of its founder.
Ask also if they have heard of the PDSA Dickin Medal and remind them that it is 'the animals' VC'.
Set this project as homework or computer suite work. Agree the plenary session time and date.
Main items (Timing: various)
Students work through the project online and complete the project to your agreed standard.
Plenary (Timing : Flexible)
Once students have completed their projects you can arrange to review them, or ask the students to contribute to a group discussion and review session.
PDSA is happy to review and critique any projects you feel have merit.
Competency Standards
As a result of these sessions children should be able to demonstrate a better understanding of PDSA, Maria Dickin, CBE, and the role of animals in war. They should be able to debate their position on the modern use of animals in war.
