(Consumers' Association of Canada, Alberta)

Alberta Curriculum Linkages-Alberta Learning Social Studies 10

THEME II: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

The citizen has a role in the political process

• campaigning
• petitioning
• lobbying
• demonstrating
• letter writing

Activity:
 

• have the students a identify a national or provincial issue that concerns them and then identify a special interest group that is involved in lobbying governments, industry or individuals about that issue.
• have the students identify how the special interest group they have identified is trying to gain the support of other groups.

Information found using the Consumer Advocacy link can help students to complete these activities.  In addition, using a search engine such as Hotbot may be useful.

• Political differences are resolved through a variety of approaches
• democratic process
• negotiation and compromise
• Identify ways of resolving differences:

 
• legal actions
• federal/provincial conferences
• arbitration

Activity: have the students identify how the special interest group they have identified is trying to achieve their goals and how successful they have been.

Information found using the Consumer Advocacy link can help students to complete these activities.  In addition, using a search engine such as Hotbot may be useful.

• Rights (individual and collective) in Canadian society:
• civil
• legal
• economic
• Responsibilities in Canadian society:
• social
• participating in community activities; e.g., volunteering

Activity: have the students identify a community need that should be met and identify one or more community groups that are trying to meet that need or would try to meet that need.

Information found using the Consumer Advocacy link can help students to complete these activities.  In addition, using a search engine such as Hotbot may be useful.