Lesson 3:
The gift of life – organ donation
Preparation
Context
This is the final lesson in a sequence of three lessons to raise students’ awareness
of organ donation and transplantation and to encourage the development of
personal skills.
This lesson should be taught after lessons 1 and 2 and covers the deaths of two young people and different religious perspectives on organ donation and transplantation, so it is important to be sensitive and aware of specific student’s circumstances and beliefs.
Lesson outcomes
- To be able to describe what it might be like for a donor family
- To be able to explain why organ donation and transplantation is important
- To be able to discuss organ donation and transplantation from the perspective of different religions.
Links to the National Curriculum
Lesson 3 covers the following core themes within the Key Stage 3 and 4 PSHE curriculum (England only):
Key Stage 3: Core Theme 2: Relationships
Students will develop communication skills of active listening and assertiveness by listening to different opinions and expressing their own thoughts and feelings about organ donation and transplantation. In addition students will learn how to address loss such as bereavement. In this lesson they will explore how two families came to terms with the death of a son. They will understand reasons why these parents chose to donate their loved one’s organs for transplantation.
Key Stage 4: Core Theme 1: Health and wellbeing
Students will learn where and how to obtain health information and advice about organ donation and transplantation and understand that the NHS Blood and Transplant website is a source of information.
Resources and lesson contents
- Lesson 3: PowerPoint slides (to use as a visual aid and/or to print off and hand out)
- Lesson 3: Student activities
- The story of donor Philip Traher and his family (PDF)
- Student activity sheets with corresponding questions
- A film about Dawn Smith and her son Harry-James Kirkham
- Student activity sheets with corresponding questions
- Group discussion and presentation – exploring different religious perspectives on organ donation and transplantation using Faith Fact Cards
Requirements
- Access to the internet to watch the film/download beforehand from the NHS Blood and Transplant website. This can be found here: organdonation.nhs.uk/education
- A2 sugar paper x6
- Whiteboards or post-it notes
- Pens.
Preparation
- Print out lesson plan 3, the case studies on Philip Traher and Dawn Smith and her son Harry-James Kirkham and the corresponding student activity sheets
- Print out the accompanying faith fact cards on pieces of card – each group will be given one of the cards.
We would also recommend reading through the accompanying teacher guidance, FAQ’s and the more in-depth information documents about organ donation and transplantation before the lesson.
Teaching the lesson
Introductory activity: Setting the scene and preparing the students to discuss a sensitive issue (5 mins)
- Explain to the group that in this lesson the students will be learning about organ donation and transplantation from the viewpoint of an organ donor’s family
- To make students feel comfortable, say that if they feel uncomfortable about answering a question throughout they can “pass”
- Using whiteboards or post-it notes, students can note things they have learnt in previous lessons – use lesson 3: PowerPoint slide 3.
Activity 1: The story of Philip Traher
Outcome: To be able to describe what it might feel like to be the donor’s family (10 mins)
- Explain to the group that you will be reading a case study about Philip Traher and his parents’ decision to donate their son’s organs.
- After this, ask students to write down their responses to some key questions below on the student activity sheets. These questions have also been included on PowerPoint slide 4 so you may want to have these up during this activity.
Questions:
- What do you think Philip’s parents were feeling when they heard the news of his accident?
- What do you think Philip’s parents would be saying to support each other?
- What do you think Philip’s parents would be saying to the Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at this difficult time?
- Are there any words that they used that surprise you?
Also ask students how they would discuss organ donation and transplantation with their family (PowerPoint slide 5).
Walk around the room to check student’s responses to the answers.
Activity 2: A film about Dawn Smith and her son Harry-James Kirkham
Outcome: To be able to explain why organ donation and transplantation is important (10 mins)
This activity will enable students to consider why some families make the decision to donate a loved one’s organs. During this activity, students will be watching a short film about Dawn Smith and her son Harry-James Kirkham. Dawn decided to donate her son’s organs after he died in an accident.
- Give each student activity sheet 2 with questions about the film
- Students watch the film and answer the questions
- After watching the film ask students to discuss and compare the answers with a partner
- Ask students to also consider the questions on PowerPoint slide 6:
any of them?
Where there any parts of this story that surprised you?
Why do you think Dawn wanted to share her story with you?
How do you feel about organ donation after watching this film?
Activity 3: Group discussion and presentation – faith fact cards
Outcome: To be able to discuss organ donation and transplantation from the perspective of different religions (20 mins)
This activity explores organ donation and transplantation from the perspective of different faith groups in the UK, to enable students to confidently discuss the subject in relation to religion.
Although all major religions of the UK support the principles of organ donation and transplantation, some people may question whether their faith allows it.
So NHS Blood and Transplant works with faith leaders and communities to build trust, raise awareness and discuss how different religions view organ and/or tissue donation and how to improve consent rates.Working with faith leaders we have developed bespoke leaflets which you can download here:organdonation.nhs.uk/about-donation/what-does-my-religion-sayor order copies hereorgandonation.nhs.uk/news-and-campaigns/organ-donation-campaigns.
Organ donation is a personal choice and we encourage anyone who is unsure to get guidance from their religious leader/advisor. Also to discuss their decision with family so they are aware of their loved one’s wishes.
The activity
- Divide the class into six groups. Explain that each will be representing a particular faith group. Each group will be asked to prepare a three-minute presentation from the perspective of their faith group to the same question:
- Each group should be given one Faith Fact Card and using this information they can present their ideas on a large piece of sugar paper. These faith facts can be found on lesson 3: activity sheet.Guidance is included on PowerPoint slides 7
and 8 - Make it clear that all major religions of the UK support the principles of organ donation and transplantation but deciding to donate your organs and tissues is a very personal thing. Only the individual can make that decision.
The student presentations should include answers to these questions:
- What is this particular faith group’s perspective on organ donation and transplantation?
- What could faith leaders in this community do to reassure people that organ donation is a personal choice?
- How would you argue for and against organ donation?
Plenary: Looking back on the lesson
Objective: To summarise what has been learnt (5 mins)
This is the final lesson in the series, so the assessment for learning activity is a series of evaluative questions.
Students can use whiteboards or post-it notes to relay their responses to the questions on slide 10 of the lesson 3: PowerPoint slides.
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