This lesson aims to raise pupils awareness of the challenges faced by children living in poor conditions in urban slums. Pupils will draw comparisons between their lives and the life of Robert, an eight-year-old boy who lives in a Kenyan slum. Linked to PSHE and Citizenship, the lesson will take about an hour. Learning objectives To identify similarities and differences between living in Mukuru, Kenya and the UK To identify what is required to live a healthy and safe life To recognise the difference between what is essential ( a need ) and desirable ( a want ) YOU WILL NEED Photosheets: What can you see? from rednoseday.com/primaryresources Film: Welcome to my world from rednoseday.com/primaryresources Worksheet: How is Robert s life different from ours? Worksheet: What is essential for life? Curriculum links: Key stage 1 PSHE and Citizenship Developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities 1a To recognise what they like and dislike, what is fair and unfair, and what is right and wrong 1b To share opinions on things that matter to them and explain their views Preparing to play an active role as citizens 1e To realise that people and other living things have needs, and that they have responsibilities to meet them 1 of 6
STARTER: WHAT CAN YOU SEE? Display image one of Robert from the photosheets on the interactive whiteboard or give pupils copies of the image to share. Ask the children to look closely at the image. 5 MINS Prompt questions What can you see in the picture? Where do you think the boy lives? Does it look warm or cold? What do the houses and streets look like? top tip You could design your own activity about Robert s life using the other photosheets from What can you see? Note their responses and reasons. NOTES The boy is called Robert. He is eight years old and lives in a slum called Mukuru in the city of Nairobi, Kenya. Robert lives with his parents and three older siblings. He attends a local primary school but has to walk across a busy road to get there. Robert likes playing with his kitten called Bruce. Robert s mum Mary works seven days a week in her kiosk (shop) selling hot food and tea but she is still unable to pay for all the things needed to live. When he is not at school Robert helps his mum at her kiosk by collecting water for the tea. Urban slums develop when large numbers of people move from the country to the city to look for work or start a new life. There are not enough places to live and many families end up living in poorquality housing. 2 of 6
WATCH THE FILM: WELCOME TO MY WORLD Tell the children they are going to watch a film about the boy in the 10 MINS picture. He is called Robert, is eight years old and lives in Mukuru, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Tell your pupils to pay attention as they will be asked questions at the end. Show the film Welcome to my world from rednoseday.com/primaryresources After watching the film, encourage the children to reflect on what they have seen. Prompt questions How did the film make you feel about Robert s life? What do you think about where Robert lives? How do you think Robert feels about where he lives? HOW IS ROBERT S LIFE DIFFERENT FROM OURS? Ask your pupils how they think Robert s life is different from theirs, 15 MINS drawing out differences between living conditions. You could use the worksheet How is Robert s life different from ours? to record their responses on the interactive whiteboard. List as many differences as you can, big and small. Prompts Type of dwelling house, flat, bungalow Number of rooms Types of room in the home such as bathroom or kitchen Number of people in the home Surrounding environment roads, drainage, grass Building materials corrugated iron, wood Heating, toilets, running water Electronic goods, such as TV, computer, games console 3 of 6
WHAT IS ESSENTIAL For life? Review the list of items in the Our life column. 20 MINS Ask your class which of these we need in a house to help us live a healthy and safe life. Circle or highlight their responses. Give your pupils the worksheet What is essential for life? and ask them to draw or write the four things they think Robert needs in his home. If appropriate, pupils could also give the reason why they think each of these things is essential. top tip You could link this activity to the learning poster Want to come and play at my house? by displaying pupils responses around it. The posters can be found in the School Fundraising Resource Pack. Or extend this activity and ask your pupils to design a new house for Robert to live in. PLENARY Ask a selection of children to share their responses. 10 MINS Ask your pupils to recap the things that we need to live a safe and healthy life. Remind your pupils what Robert s house lacks and ask them how they would feel if they did not have those things. Ask your pupils how they think they could help children like Robert and what they could do to fundraise for Red Nose Day 2013. Being sponsored to Give something up for a day could help pupils further develop their understanding of what is essential for life? 4 of 6
PRIMARY worksheet KEY STAGE 1 5 of 6
PRIMARY worksheet KEY STAGE 1 Draw and write in the cards below what you think Robert NEEDS to live a healthy and safe life. I think Robert needs: I think Robert needs: I think Robert needs: I think Robert needs: RND13/084. Photo credit: Jonathan Kalan. Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). 6 of 6