Understanding Consent

Overview

This 30-minute lesson for Years 5-6 students in New Zealand is part 14 of 16 in the unit "Growing in Faith Together." It focuses on understanding consent, emphasising the importance of personal boundaries and the ability to freely make choices in relationships. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, supporting key competencies, principles, and relevant learning areas including Religious Education, Health and Physical Education, and English.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the concept of consent as freely saying "yes" or "no" to choices that affect personal boundaries.
• Recognise the importance of respecting their own and others’ personal boundaries in relationships.
• Develop confidence to express their choices clearly and respectfully.
• Participate in respectful group discussions to practice communication of consent.

These objectives align with the New Zealand Curriculum principles of inclusion and equity, and key competencies especially Relating to Others, Managing Self, and Using Language, Symbols and Texts .

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Curriculum Links

• Principles: Inclusion, Equity, and Community Engagement
• Key Competencies:
  • Relating to Others: interacting respectfully and empathetically.
  • Managing Self: developing confidence in decision-making.
  • Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: expressing ideas clearly.
• Learning Areas:
  • Religious Education: exploring values of respect and healthy relationships.
  • Health and Physical Education: personal identity, well-being, and interpersonal skills.
  • English: communication skills through discussion and vocabulary development.

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Materials

• Scenario cards illustrating everyday situations involving consent.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Consent vocabulary poster (e.g., "Yes," "No," "Maybe," "Respect," "Boundaries").
• Reflection sheets for written or drawing responses.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage: Begin with a brief discussion: "What does it mean to say yes or no to something? Why might it be important to listen to those answers?"
• Introduce the concept of consent as making choices about our own bodies and feelings, and respecting others’ choices.
• Link to faith values such as respect and kindness in relationships.

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2. Exploring Consent Through Scenarios (15 minutes)

• Activity: Divide the class into small groups of 5.

• Give each group one or two scenario cards describing age-appropriate situations where consent is relevant (e.g., sharing belongings, physical touch like a hug, inviting friends to play).

• Groups discuss:

  • Who is involved?
  • What choices are being made?
  • How do the people in the scenario show or ask for consent?
  • What would happen if someone’s boundary isn't respected?

• Encourage use of consent vocabulary and respectful communication.

• Teacher Role: Circulate to support groups, ask guiding questions such as:

  • "How can you tell if someone is comfortable?"
  • "What can you do if you don’t want to say yes?"
  • "Why is it important to listen and respect what people say?"

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3. Whole-Class Sharing and Discussion (7 minutes)

• Groups share their scenario and key points.
• Discuss examples of clear expressions of consent and respect.
• Reinforce that everyone has the right to say yes or no and to have those choices respected.
• Highlight how listening carefully and asking respectfully builds trust and friendship.

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4. Reflection and Closing (3 minutes)

• Students complete a quick written or drawing reflection:
  • "One thing I learned about saying yes or no."
  • "How I can show respect for my friends' choices."
• Summarise that understanding consent helps us grow in faith by caring for ourselves and others.
• Provide positive encouragement for confidence in communication.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment: Observe group discussions to check understanding of consent concepts and respectful communication.
• Collect reflections to assess individual comprehension and personal connection.
• Use questioning during sharing to gauge clarity in expressing ideas about consent.

These align with assessment principles from the New Zealand Curriculum emphasizing evidence-based, student-centred assessment .

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Teaching Considerations

• Use clear, simple language and model respectful communication.
• Be attentive to diverse cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
• Create a safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing.
• Reinforce key vocabulary consistently.
• Link consent to familiar faith and community values, recognising their role in personal growth.

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Extension Ideas

• Develop role-play scenarios for practicing consent responses.
• Invite students to create posters about consent and respect.
• Connect with Health and Physical Education content on personal boundaries.

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This lesson plan supports young learners to understand and practise consent in ways that nurture respectful relationships and personal agency, key to their wellbeing and community participation as envisioned by the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh.

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If you would like, I can also help create specific scenario cards or consent vocabulary posters tailored to your class needs!