Background information

At KS2 students will have experienced citizenship activities as part of the schools implementation of the guidelines for PSHE and citizenship. These support students in:

• developing confidence and responsibility ·
• making the most of their abilities ·
• preparing to play an active role as citizens ·
• developing healthy, safer lifestyles ·
• developing good relationships ·
• respecting the differences between people.

At KS3 & KS4 some of the aims of the Citizenship curriculum are:

• to provide an essential and coherent context within which schools should develop their own curriculum ·
• to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and to achieve ·
• to promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare all pupils for the opportunities and experiences of life.

Pupils are more likely to become active citizens if their learning experiences have enabled them to take responsibility for their learning. The way in which learning experiences are provided in citizenship is, therefore, fundamental to the development of effective practice.

Using this activity will enable you to deliver appropriate and thought provoking scenarios to stimulate positive discussion. Having worked through the Moral Mazes activities students will have been given the opportunity to:

• explore, discuss and debate topical issues of significance and interest and to take part in critical discussions that are relevant to their lives ·
• explore and discuss the varied attitudes and values underpinning issues encountered in society, consider other peoples experiences and think about, express and explain views that are not their own, for example through debates, simulated activities or role-play ·
• take time to reflect on all their experiences in both the formal and informal curriculum, identify what they have learnt and enable them to transfer that to situations in their own lives, now and in the future.

Using Moral Mazes

Moral Mazes has been designed to be used with the whole class or a group of students. Show one of the Moral Mazes to the class, giving any background information necessary. The class or group will then discuss the moral issues arising in that dilemma. It is anticipated that the discussions will generally be teacher led.

Students could be divided into groups to prepare an argument either for or against the action (with reasons) to be presented to the whole class.

You can print out a copy of the text used in all of the Moral mazes by clicking on Text of Moral Mazes from within each of the Key Stages. This can then be adapted for individual schools and used in classroom activities.

The brilliant thing about this activity is that you can actually create your own Moral Maze and use it in the classroom immediately! Click on Make your own Moral Maze from within each Key Stage. Choose the characters you want and type in the text in their speech bubbles. You must click twice in each text area in order to enter the text. You can also add a background storyline at the bottom of the screen. You can print out your Moral Maze by selecting the print function as you usually do from your browser. Don't forget to set the paper layout to landscape.

If you have a great idea for a Moral Maze you can send it in to your LEA. Just click on Submit Your Ideas on the home page. Complete the details on the form and give a brief description of the background to your idea and how the storyline develops. Your idea will then be vetted and considered for further development by an LEA representative. We have already added some new Moral Mazes suggested by pupils. Who knows - you may see your idea up on the Internet one day!

Web links:

There are many excellent web sites. Here are just a few that will prove useful in follow work in the classroom, some on a more global scale.

Citizenship web site : This is the DfES' site for Citizenship.

Oxfam's Cool Planet for teachers gives a global perspective for the classroom. This is their Global Charter for Basic Rights.

Global Dimension - This website is a guide to books, films, posters and web resources which support global, intercultural and environmental understanding for all age groups and subjects.

Save the Children has a host of resources for teaching global citizenship.

Pupil Notes

Have you ever been in a really tough situation and not known what to do? Who should you tell? Maybe you find out your best friend is selling drugs. Or you see someone cheating in an exam. Or you discover a friend has got off with a teacher. What on earth would you do?

Have a look at this activity. These are real life dilemmas that have actually happened to other people. It'll make you think about the different ways to handle each situation and give you some ideas on why certain situations arise. Find out how you and your classmates would solve these Moral Mazes.

Take a look at the Moral Mazes suggested by other pupils. Maybe you'd like to send in your own?