Understanding Society Basics

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students to fundamental sociological concepts aligned with the UK National Curriculum for England's Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) guidelines, focusing on understanding society, social structures, culture, and social change. Students will develop critical thinking about how individuals relate to society and each other through interactive and student-centred activities.

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National Curriculum Links

• Programme of Study (Key Stage 3 - Citizenship and Social Understanding strands relevant to Sociology):
  • Develop an understanding of social structures and how they influence individuals’ behaviour.
  • Explore diverse cultures and perspectives within society.
  • Recognise how societies change over time and the role individuals/groups play in social change.
  • Encourage respectful discussion of social issues and appreciation of diversity.

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Define and describe key sociological concepts: society, social structures, culture, and social change.
2. Identify examples of social structures (family, school, media) and cultural elements in everyday life.
3. Explain how social change can occur and provide examples.
4. Demonstrate empathy and understanding through group discussion and role-play activities.
5. Reflect critically on how societal factors influence their own lives and communities.

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Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed case studies on different social groups (age, ethnicity, gender, family background)
• Role-play scenario cards
• Flip charts and coloured pens
• Sticky notes
• Projector (optional for brief introductory slides)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

“What is Society?” Brainstorm and Concept Map

• Write “Society” on the board. Ask students to shout out what words or ideas come to mind about society. (e.g., people, rules, family)
• As a class, create a concept map on the whiteboard grouping ideas under headings: People, Places, Rules, Culture.
• Quickly introduce definitions: society as a community of people who live together and share laws, traditions, and values.

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2. Introduction and Explanation (10 minutes)

Mini-Presentation: Key Concepts

• Use simple slides or handouts to explain:
  • Social Structures: The organised patterns of relationships and institutions that make up society (family, school, media).
  • Culture: The shared practices, beliefs, languages, and customs of a group of people.
  • Social Change: How societies evolve over time due to technology, laws, social movements.
• Provide relatable examples (e.g., how school rules affect student life; how cultural festivals celebrate heritage).

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3. Main Activity Part 1 (15 minutes)

Group Case Studies and Discussion

• Divide class into 5 groups of 5 students. Give each group a different case study describing a particular social group (e.g. a family with different generations, a group of friends from a specific culture, young people involved in social media activism).
• Groups identify:
  • Social structures influencing the group members’ lives.
  • Cultural elements present in the scenario.
  • Any example(s) of social change or challenges written in the case.
• Groups prepare a 2-minute summary to share with the class.

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4. Main Activity Part 2 (15 minutes)

Role Play: Experiencing Social Structures and Change

• Provide role-play cards describing a social situation where students must take on different roles (e.g., students debating changing a school rule, a community planning a cultural event, or a family discussing tradition vs new ideas).
• Groups act out their scenarios; classmates observe and then discuss the social structures and cultural elements demonstrated. Highlight how social change happens through discussion and negotiation.

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5. Plenary (10 minutes)

Reflect, Assess & Consolidate

• Use sticky notes for “One thing I learned today” and “One question I still have,” posted on a chart for quick formative assessment.
• Quick round: Each student shares one example of a social structure or cultural practice from their own life.
• Teacher summarises and addresses any misconceptions or questions.

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Assessment Ideas

• Formative: Observations during group discussions and role plays, sticky note reflections.
• Peer Assessment: Groups provide feedback on each other’s case study presentations, focusing on clarity of sociological concepts.
• Exit Ticket: At the lesson end, students write a short sentence explaining what social change means in their own words.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Support lower-ability learners with simplified case study handouts and scaffolded role-play prompts.
• Challenge higher-ability learners by encouraging them to link concepts (e.g., how culture and social structure interact).
• Ensure culturally sensitive materials reflecting diverse UK society.
• Use mixed-ability grouping to promote peer support.

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Extension Activities

• Research task: Students find an example of social change in their local community and report on it.
• Creative homework: Design a poster representing their family culture or a community tradition.

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This lesson plan encourages active learning and real-life connections to sociology, meeting KS3 curriculum standards on social understanding and cultural awareness while developing key citizenship skills.