Lesson 4 – Individuals and groups

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Strengths of individuals as potential for society

Learning objectives Through discussion, the students understand that their individual strengths have potential within a group. They understand the con-cepts of teamwork and division of labour. They can identify groups in society where different strengths have to be combined in order to be successful.
Student tasks The students talk about their strengths and relate them to other experiences in situations outside of school. In a brainstorming ses­sion, they identify situations where different abilities are necessary for the success of the group.
Resources Blackboard or flipchart.
Methods Plenary discussion.

Information box

A discussion (an exchange of arguments, from the Latin, discussio, i.e. argument) is a specifi c form of verbal communication between two or more persons in which one or several issues are addressed – i.e. discussed – with each side presenting their arguments. A discussion should be held in a spirit of mutual respect. A good style of discussion requires the speakers to allow and even encourage views and opinions other than their own to be expressed, considering them carefully instead of rashly rejecting them. Personal qualities such as serenity, composure, and politeness will work to the advantage of both sides. In the best case, a discussion will lead to the solution of a problem or a compromise that everyone involved can accept.

In modern societies, discussions are a civilised – a non-violent – means of handling controversy and dealing with conflicts of interests and objectives. Conflicts are therefore not suppressed, but solved. By learning and practising their discussion skills, students learn a basic element of achieving and maintaining peace in society.

Lesson description

The students sit in their groups with a fl ipchart in front of them.

They are given the task to undertake a three-step discussion (see also student handout):

  • Think about the strengths you drew or wrote down on your coat of arms and write them all down on the flipchart.
  • Discuss in which situations these strengths could help your group. Think of examples and write them down.
  • As a third step, think about situations outside of school. Where could these strengths and abilities help you? As an individual person? Within a group?

When the students have finished, they form a circle to discuss the results in a plenary session.

It is the teacher’s task to steer the discussion in such a way that the students grasp the concept of using individual strengths and abilities as source of power within a group.

Lesson 3 - This is our coat of arms (coat of arms part II)
UNIT 2: Diversity and pluralism – At home in Europe
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