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.