Decision Making Exercise – Should animals have the same rights as humans?

This workshop uses the true story of Pole Pole the elephant to encourage pupils to consider if animals should be given the same rights as humans. Pupils work in small groups to represent the three main stakeholders (a UK zoo, an African government and Pole Pole) involved in bringing Pole Pole from Africa to the UK.

Each group gives their views in a debate/discussion and the pupils can then vote whether she should stay in Africa or go to the zoo. The real story is then told and pupils are encouraged to think about the feelings of animals in zoos.

These resources are designed for Key Stage 2 but they can easily be adapted for all Key Stages. This workshop is planned to take approximately two hours, or can be taken as either one or two sessions. This topic has many cross-curricular links that are highlighted below, with strong links to the Science, English, Geography, SMSC and Citizenship curriculums.

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