ContentsAssembly Plan: Our Security, UKS2 Assembly 1

Resource Sheet 1: Case Studies 8

Resource Sheet 2: Causes of Insecurity 11

Resource Sheet 3: ‘Today’ Readings 15

Assembly Plan: Our Security, UKS2 AssemblyThis resource was developed in association with the Rethinking Security Group, by Karenza Mahtani, a UKS2 Primary School teacher. Karenza has a degree in politics and experience of working with development and peacebuilding organisations, including campaigns on conflict mineral legislation and human trafficking. This assembly is designed for Year 5 and 6 pupils due to the conceptual nature of the topic.

Objectives:

- To introduce children to the idea of security and help them reflect on what helps them feel secure or insecure.

- To help children understand some of the major causes of insecurity in the world and how these can be addressed.

- To assist children in critically evaluating their own opinions of what will keep them safe and how to best promote security in their neighbourhoods and across the world.

Resources/Preparation Required

- Resource Sheet 1 – Case Studies (1 copy)- Resource Sheet 2 – Causes of Insecurity (1 copy trimmed into separate reasons)- Resource Sheet 3 – “Today” readings (1 copy trimmed into separate readings)

(the above are in this document, below the Assembly Plan).- Resource Sheet 4 – ‘Our Security’ competition (multiple copies for teachers to give to their class.)

Participation

- You will need 4 volunteers for the investigation part of the assembly. - You will need 4 (confident) readers for the “Security Means…” part of the assembly.

Assembly Structure

Display this slide as children come in

Introduce topic to the children and the main question of the day.

Read the basic idea – you may need to repeat it a couple of times.

Give children time to discuss the key questions before feeding back:

- What does security mean to you?- What makes you feel secure?- What makes you feel insecure?

(It might be helpful to use “safe” interchangeably at this point to help all children understand)

Introduce the investigation to the children. Choose/prompt your pre-selected 4 volunteers at this point – they will need to come up in turn as each case study is displayed.

Volunteer 1 – hold sign with case study (Resource Sheet 1). Is there security here? Why? Why not? Get feedback (max 3).

Volunteer 2 – hold sign with case study (Resource Sheet 1). Is there security here? Why? Why not? Get feedback (max 3).

Volunteer 3 – hold sign with case study (Resource Sheet 1). Children discuss: Is there security here? Why? Why not? Get feedback (max 3).

Volunteer 4 – hold sign with case study (Resource Sheet 1). Children discuss: Is there security here? Why? Why not? Get feedback (max 3).

Children discuss. Volunteers stay up, holding their signs. Explain causes – poverty/inequality/war etc. Work through each case – what are the causes? (There may be more than one i.e. Case 2 – A damaged planet/Poverty and Inequality). Resource Sheet 2 – For each case, hand the volunteer the reasons that have been chosen. Ask the children – are there any other causes for the insecurity this person is facing?

Thank volunteers – get them to sit down. Ask children to think of the opposites to each of these areas? How could they be solved?Get feedback – 1 per area (if suitable)

You introduce the slide - Insecurity means… Reader 1 – They will need to read their part (Resource Sheet 3) about poverty/inequality.

Read the slide – Security means…

You introduce the slide - Insecurity means… Reader 2 – They will need to read their part (Resource Sheet 3) about War

Read the slide – Security means…

You introduce the slide - Insecurity means… Reader 3 – They will need to read their part (Resource Sheet 3) about a damaged planet.

Read the slide – Security means…

You introduce the slide - Insecurity means… Reader 4 – They will need to read their part (Resource Sheet 3) about discrimination and human rights

Read the slide – Security means…

Thank readers – get them to sit down. Ask children to think about which of these areas are the most important to solve? Encourage different opinions and for children to explain WHY. Get feedback (4 max)

Remind children that there are many things that affect the security of an individual and we need to address all security concerns, not just the most obvious.

Present challenge to the children – you may need to expand on “Buying Weapons” – remind children that people say this will keep the world safer – and “Peace Talks” – people trying to solve conflict through working together and coming up with a solution. Give the children time to discuss each. Get 2 – 3 groups to feedback and EXPLAIN why. Prompt them – which do you think would be most effective? (You could add in the inclination of many governments towards defence spending if there is time.)

Go through each point – get children to feedback. What have they learned?

Tell the children about the Our Security competition, inform them that their teacher has information which they can take home (Resource Sheet 4). Each class teacher can be given enough copies of this resource sheet to give out to their class, after the assembly. Remember to thank all volunteers and readers.

Resource Sheet 1: Case Studies

A child living in Yemen.

A farmer in Kenya.

You are being picked on or

bullied because of

your religion.

No job£30 left

£300 rent and bills to pay.

The payment is late.

Resource Sheet 2: Causes of InsecurityCut out each reason separately – one sheet per case study.

Poverty & inequality

WarDiscrimination &

poor human rightsA damaged

planetPoverty &

inequalityWar

Discrimination & poor human rights

A damaged planet

Poverty &

inequalityWar

Discrimination & poor human rights

A damaged planet

Poverty &

inequalityWar

Discrimination & poor human rights

A damaged planet

Resource Sheet 3: Today ReadingsTrim to separate

Reading 1 – Poverty and InequalityToday two billion people across the world live on two dollars or

less every day and find it very difficult to get by. At the same time, the richest 1 per cent of all people now have more money than the rest of the world put together. Poverty and inequality can lead to conflict, violence and war.

Reading 2 – WarToday there are many wars happening around the world. Distrust or disagreement between countries or groups of people can lead to war, which causes death and destruction.

Reading 3 – A damaged planetToday many of the earth’s resources have been used too much so there aren’t enough left, or destroyed. Climate change is causing dangerous weather and changes to the environment. This is forcing people to leave their homes, and to compete more with one another for the things they need to live.

Reading 4 – Discrimination and not having basic human rightsToday many people in the world are discriminated against, and don’t have basic human rights (such as being able to vote in elections, or being paid for their work).