What do you see in the picture? Where are they? What sport is this, what do you notice about the two people? What do you think this story is about?
The photo shows Millie Colling and Emma Aalto (both 19 years old) who are competing in Finland this year in the ice skating championship.
There is something different about this championship - a rule has been changed this year to allow something for the first time.
What rule do you think has been changed?
This year for the first time ever, skaters can compete in pairs that are the same gender.
Millie says she and Emma are best friends that want to skate together. Usually skaters have to be a man and a woman but this year skaters can be called Skater A and Skater B.
Why do you think skaters have had to be different genders before now?
Can you think of any reason this won't work if the skaters are the same sex?
Earlier this year, retired Olympic champions, Madison Hubbel and Gabriella Papadakis performed together, hoping to help break gender stereotypes in sport.
What are gender stereotypes in sport?
Do gender stereotypes in sport matter? (explain why/ why not)
Mille says there is a common misconception that same sex skaters are gay or lesbian. But she says that's not the case and you don't have to be in a same sex relationship just because you compete together.
Why do you think some people think that?
Emma says, "The point is to be opening possibilities for everyone not just for gay and lesbian people. Ice dancing with a same sex partner is not necessarily any different."
What does opening possibilities mean?
In a partnership that was male and female, who would usually do the lifting? How do you think this works if the couple are the same sex?
Mille explains, "One of us leads, one of us follows, one lifts, one of us is lifted. We have quite similar body mass so technically there are some differences but we still do the same content."
"Every partnership is different. Every couple has their strengths and weaknesses. Ice dance is a really individual sport - each couple is unique and we're just another unique couple."
If the couple qualify in Finland, they will not be allowed to take part in the national competition in December because the rules haven't been changed for that competition yet.
Why enter a competition if you are not allowed to compete in the final?
Mille and Emma say they do not expect to win; "we're just excited to get out there. You can be whatever you want to be on ice."
Why do you think ide dancing makes them feel like that?
If they don't think they can win, should they still enter, what's the point?
What can we learn from Millie and Emma?
Why is this about No Outsiders
Which British Value is this about?
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No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat (scheme of work for primary schools)
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