Our new planet: learning about citizenship

Project kits

3 October 2024

This project kit is designed to help develop citizenship skills and collaboration among ECEC pupils, by creating a shared understanding of values, teamwork and community.

young children and teachers in class playing

Image source: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Through a series of activities, children can explore what it means to be a good citizen and work together to design a new planet for an imaginary alien. This project kit encourages pupils to think about their personal values, collaborate, and develop a sense of responsibility and empathy.

Objectives

Self-awareness and communication skills
Collaborative abilities
Basic understanding of citizenship
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Empathy and responsibility

Introduction of partners

Teachers start by introducing a puppet alien to their classes, explaining that the alien will live on a new planet designed by the pupils. The planet must be safe, healthy and happy. Pupils record videos introducing themselves and share what makes them feel safe, healthy and happy, and these videos are uploaded to the TwinSpace. The classes then brainstorm and vote on a name for the alien during a video call.

Once the alien had been named, pupils discuss what their planet will look like (houses, nature, roads, etc.), and then decide which part of the planet they would like to draw. For example, one class could design the houses, another the landscape and another the playground. They share them in the TwinSpace and then discuss what their peers did in class. The pupils share comments and suggestions with their teacher, who then posts them in the forum.

Orientation

Before starting the project, teachers should introduce key citizenship concepts in an age-appropriate manner. In this way, young pupils can understand which elements they have to consider for their alien’s planet:

understanding local governance and the roles of community figures such as the mayor, firefighters and rubbish collectors;
problem-solving skills such as creativity, critical thinking and collaboration, to deal with difficult situations;
developing positive feelings and beliefs;
participating in activities and believing in making a difference.

Teachers can use videos to illustrate these concepts. Pupils share experiences of making positive changes, such as picking up rubbish or helping their neighbours. The classes could then create posters that reflect these ideas, which are shared on the TwinSpace for further discussion.

Communication

Classes begin by creating a citizenship planet for their alien, establishing rules and values such as freedom, equality and democracy. Teachers can provide picture cards to help. The rules are collected and displayed on the Twinboard.

During a video call, pupils can vote on the different rules, using a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Teachers finalise the list and post it on the TwinSpace. Pupils also create drawings to illustrate their rules.

Collaboration

Once the list of rules is ready, pupils can then design the planet. Teachers give them a list of considerations:

environment (colours, shapes, trees, rivers, mountains)
community (housing, playing and working together)
daily life (fun activities, helping each other).

In small groups, pupils create a picture of their planet and present it in a virtual ‘show and tell’. The class then combines their designs into one final planet and discusses the significance of each choice. The final planet is posted on the Twinboard by the teachers.

Evaluation & Assessment

Evaluation

Teachers can give pupils an image-based survey to see how much they enjoyed the project. The survey could include pictures of happy, neutral and sad faces, and pupils choose the one that matches their feelings.

Assessment

To test what pupils have learned about citizenship, teachers could also give a short quiz. They show pictures of problems the alien may face and ask pupils what each picture means and how the alien might deal with the situation. Pupils answer questions like ‘What is happening?’, ‘Why does this matter?’ and
‘How can the alien solve this problem?’

Follow up

Documentation

Once the project is complete, the final planet design and list of rules can be uploaded to the TwinSpace. A newsletter could be created for parents to explain the goals of the project and its achievements, including videos and pictures from the project.

Dissemination

Each class could present their project during a school assembly, explain their work and show videos and pictures. They could discuss what they learned about citizenship, teamwork and values. A school-wide activity, such as a park or beach cleanup, could also be organised to further engage the community.

Additional information

Age from:

5
Age to:

6
Difficulty:

Easy
Education type:

Early Childhood Education and Care
Target audience ISCED:

Early childhood education (ISCED 0)

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