Let’s Think About It!
Topic: VotingYear 6P
Information for Teachers
Activity for Students
A Bill has been put forward to lower the voting age of Australian citizens from 18
to 16.
There has been a tremendous amount of debate about this. To help solve the issue, your local government is
approaching students, such as yourselves, from all over the state to ask what they think.
Let’s think about it!
NEXT
TEN THINKING TRACKS
What is it? Bright Side Feelings
Thought PoliceI-Think
Down SideKnowledge
We- ThinkIs it fair? Improvements
Click on the tracks to start
thinking!
TEN THINKING TRACKS
What is it? Bright Side Feelings
Thought PoliceI-Think
Down SideKnowledge
We- ThinkIs it fair? Improvements
DONE
Track 1
What is it?•Clearly state the issue.
•What would this look like in
real life?
Track 2Knowledge
•What do we already know about this?
•What do we need to know more
about, and how can we find this out?
•Is this similar to anything we already know
about?
Track 3
The Bright Side•What are the good aspects of this?
•What positives could come out of this?
•What good opportunities could this
provide?
What is it?
HgjhklHvhjhghgvjhgjhg
Track 4The Down Side•What are the not-so-good
aspects of this?
•What problems could possibly
arise?
Track 5 Feelings•How does this make you feel? (use
feeling words, such as ‘pleased’,
‘excited’, ‘worried’)
•How might this affect the feelings of
any of the people involved?
What is it?
HgjhklHvhjhghgvjhgjhg
Track 6 Improvements•What changes could make this better?
•What could be added, removed, reduced or
altered to improve it?
Track 7
Thought Police•Have we made any assumptions that could be
challenged?
•Are we using trustworthy source of evidence?
•Do we have enough evidence for what we have
been saying?
Track 8 Is it fair?•Are there any moral dilemmas involved?
•Have we considered the impact on people of all ages?
•Are there any parts of this which aren’t fair for one
gender?
•Are there any big-picture or global issues which need to
be considered?
Track 9
I-Think•What opinion does each one of
us have and why?
‘I think.....because.....’
Track 10 We - Think•What is our decision when we
put our ideas together and negotiate?
•What are our main reasons for this
decision?
•Can we sum up the opposite point of view
and the arguments for it?
NSW Syllabus OutcomesHSIE:SSS3.8 - Explains the structures, roles, responsibilities anddecision-making processes of State and federalgovernments, and explains why Australians valuefairness and socially just principles
Integrate the English KLA by writing an exposition with the decision made at the end of this activity.
Resources:Microsoft Office Clip Art Collection
References:Board of Studies NSW (2006). Human Society and Its Environment K-6
Syllabus. Sydney: Board of Studies, NSW.McGrath, H. And Noble, T. (2005). Eight Ways at Once: Book One. Sydney:
Pearson Education.
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