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Celebrating Diversity: similarities and differences between people: Greetings/ Music / Bread

Topic: Celebrating Diversity: similarities and differences between people: Greetings/ Music / Bread

Learning Outcomes

Understand that people in different parts of the world have different ways of expressing themselves and of greeting each other.

Explore, discover and discuss  the differences and similarities there are between cultures: with a focus on greetings / music / bread;

Understand why people leave their countries / why refugees are forced to leave and how similar their hopes are to ours

 

Introduction

Children discuss different ways of saying “Hello” in Ireland and other countries; See link 1 below; Greet each other in as many new ways as they can think of; Set up a class greeting office with two Greeting Officers (change daily) who say hello to children in different languages/ways each morning;

Take 10 minutes to research online more ways to greet each other; In groups children mark on a map of the world where their favourite greetings come from and find out more about one of these countries: (have children work in groups / pairs ) ask them to  discuss / mind map everything they think, believe or know about the countries and compare the similarities and differences to their own country. (language / music /games / food etc.)

Teacher calls class into a circle and asks them to close their eyes; teacher plays traditional music from some countries (choose songs from link 2 below); children are asked:

  1. to share how the music makes them feel
  2. if they can imagine what kind of a story the music is telling
  3. to guess what country the music is from

Children can research songs on link 2 below in pairs on the country they have chosen;

 

Development

Bread: Show video on link 3 below and if possible have some breads from around the world: Naan / Pitta / Brown Soda Bread / Griddle Bread / Pizza / Unleavened / Bagel / Brannock / Rye / Ciabatta / Foccacia / Chapati / Croissant etc.

Children taste bread samples;

Children are asked to note the following about each bread:

  1. Taste
  2. Texture
  3. How they think it is made
  4. How it is similar to bread in their own country
  5. How it is differs from bread in their own country

Discuss with class how bread is universal and how it unites people: see link 4 below and the following notes:

  • There are thousands of types of bread, all different according to the ingredients used, ways of cooking and shapes.
  • There are two main types of bread: leavened and unleavened. Unleavened bread has no yeast and is shapeless or the bread is made with products that have no gluten, such as corn.
  • There are many different shapes of bread.
  • Many pans and tools used for baking, decorating bread and many types of ovens: the horizontal ovens used in the West; the deep, vertical ovens as used for the famous Indian tandoori; the typically oriental ovens where food cooks in contact with fire or embers; and ovens where fuel is removed and foods cook with the retained heat of the furnace.
  • Bread is a symbol of cultural sharing and community spirit.
How would you feel if you had to move tomorrow to a country where you didn’t know the language, had no friends or relatives, never heard the music or tasted the bread of this strange new country before?

Why do some people move to live in different countries?

Do they always have a choice? How would you feel if you had to move tomorrow to a country where you didn’t know the language, had no friends or relatives, never heard the music or tasted the food of this strange new country before?

Who are refugees?  

Refugees are one group of people who have to move home. They are ordinary people who have fled from their own countries because of war or because their religion or political beliefs or way of life puts them in danger of arrest, torture or death. (NOTE: As teachers we need to  take care to adapt wording to the backgrounds and needs of our classes)

See video clips in links 5 and 6 below with stories of children refugees.

Ask children to share their thoughts on the video clips and to ask questions.

Note the hopes the children in the videos have.

Plenary

Discuss the overall similarities and differences of Greetings, Music and Bread in different cultures. 

Talk about the similarities and differences of the children in the video clips of links 5 and 6;

Refugees hope to live without the problems they have; they wish to go to school….. they have HOPE.

Finish up watching video clips (links 7 and 8 below) of children around the world singing  ‘What a Wonderful World” and or ” Don’t Worry Be Happy”.

 

 

Other Resources for teaching this topic

 

  1. Greetings from around the world notes for teachers:  https://www.afar.com/magazine/beyond-the-handshake-how-people-greet-each-other-around-the-world
  2. Songs for teaching about diversity: www.songsforteaching.com/diversitymulticulturalism.htm
  3. Breads around the world video for children: Youtube: https://youtu.be/BGzbxGGTw3U
  4. Slides on breads around the world: http://www.expo2015.org/magazine/en/culture/bread–the-food-that-unites-the-majority-of-the-world-s-civilizations.html
  5. Shaima’s Story: https://youtu.be/3LB8S8eZVBk
  6. Real Stories of Child Refugees (Save the Children): https://youtu.be/REJp4FMlE6s
  7. Song: What a wonderful world: https://youtu.be/ddLd0QRf7Vg
  8. Song: Don’t worry be happy: https://youtu.be/uWXUWepSak4

Before undertaking any activities on the topic of refugees and migrants please think about the students in your class. Are some of them refugees, in the process of seeking asylum, or are they stateless? If so, talk to them and their parents about the topics in advance.

Try to include ideas and feedback from parents and pupils in lessons and ask them to answer questions if they have expressly said they are interested in answering questions or speaking about these issues.

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