Democracy around the world

In Barcelona, Spain, people vote in Catalan elections.

- What is happening in the picture?

- Why are there curtains around each person?

-Why do people vote in elections?

- What does democracy mean?

- In a democracy can everyone vote? In the UK does anyone say, "You can't vote because you are a different gender." or, "You can't vote because you follow a different religion"? Why not?

- Why do we have the Equality Act in the UK?

Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP

http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2015/sep/27/the-weekend-in-pictures

Religion and diversity

This image shows the traditional ritual of Tashlich which is being performed here by Orthodox Jews on the Mediterranean  Sea, The believers cast their sins in to the water and fish on the day before the day of Atonement, Yom Kipper, the most important day of the Jewish Calendar (in 2015, 22nd September)

Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2015/sep/21/photo-highlights-of-the-day-dragon-boats-and-fashion

Use this photo to lead a discussion on how different religions celebrate important days. For example this week Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha, marking the end of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

-What religions are followed in our school?

- What do we say about different religions in our school? Are all religions welcome? (yes!)

- Why is it good to hear about different religions and faiths?

Education around the world

South Sudan: School children carry banners as part of a UNICEF sponsored, "Back To Learning" campaign following conflict that has weakened the education system.

https://medium.com/photography-and-social-change/back-to-school-3da45ee1a35a

© UNICEF/NYHQ2015–1513/McIlwaine

- Why are the children marching?

- Why does the boy in the picture hold that banner?

- Why do you think that school is so important to this child?

- How many children are absent from our school today?

- If he could speak to them, what do you think the boy in the picture would say to those children absent from our school today? 

Democracy- Dutch Parliament opening day

Riders of the Dutch cavalry rehearse for "Princes Day", the annual opening of the Dutch parliament on the 3rd Tuesday of September where the reigning monarch addresses the house to set out government policy. The smoke is from grenades used in the ceremony which includes a military procession.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/sep/14/photo-highlights-of-the-day-new-york-fashion-and-refugees-in-europe

Photograph: Phil Nijhuis/AP

- What is democracy? 

- What is a parliament used for?

- How do people get to be part of the government or the Prime Minister?

- Does the UK hold a similar event? (The UK holds a state opening where the Queen's speech sets out government agenda. In 2015 the state opening was after the election in May)

- Where are the Houses of Parliament in the UK?

-Why do you think we have a special day to open Parliament each year? (to celebrate democracy)

British Values- The Proms

This banner was displayed during the last night of the proms concert in the Royal Albert Hall, September 12th 2015. Earlier in the day there was a demonstration in central London in support of refugees.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/13/refugees-welcome-banner-steals-show-last-night-proms-royal-albert-hall?CMP=twt_gu
Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

-What does the Last Night Of The Proms celebrate?
-Why are people waving union jacks?
- What famous songs are sung at the event?
- Everyone in the picture is smiling and looking happy; why do you think this is?
- What is the sign about?
- Why do you think the people in the picture displayed their sign? What did they want to achieve?
- The banner was on display throughout the evening. Why didn't anyone take down the banner? What does this say about the people in the Royal Albert Hall that night?

Working together

Photograph: Jason Peters/AP

On 31st July 2015 164 members of the international skydiving team broke the world record for skydiving formation, over Illinois USA. This was their 13th attempt to build a shape resembling a giant flower. The previous record was 138.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2015/jul/31/world-record-skydiving-formation-in-pictures

-What is happening in this picture?
- The skydiving team are an "International" team, what does that mean?
- How did the team make this happen?
- Do you think anyone on the team said, "I'm not holding his hand because we are a different religion," or, "I'm not holding your hand because we are from a different country". Did anyone say, "We have skin that is a different colour so we can't hold hands"?
- What was the consequence when everyone worked together?
- How do you think the team felt when they were skydiving?
-You can see one skydiver is apart from the group and has not made the formation. What do you think the others are shouting to that skydiver? Do you think someone let the skydiver in?
- What are we going to do in school this year to make sure we can work together like this?

Humanity - help for refugees

Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images

Donations for refugees are sorted in Munich, Germany, 4/9/15

- What is happening in this photo?
- What do you think are in the bags and boxes?
-Where has it all come from?

Explain these are donations for refugees travelling in Europe.

- Why are there so many donations?
- What does this say about people watching the refugees arriving in Europe?
- How will the donations affect the families travelling?
- Can we do anything to help in our school?

 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/5-practical-ways-you-can-help-refugees-trying-to-find-safety-in-europe-10482902.html

Humanity- football fans welcome refugees

Football fans in Germany have been showing support for refugees arriving in their country. These banners were seen at football matches over the weekend August 29-30 2015 and organisers in the city Dortmund also offered free tickets as part of a scheme called "Angekommen in Dortmund" whcih translates as "arrived in Dortmund" and helps newly arrived people to settle in.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11834636/German-football-fans-welcome-refugees-and-invite-hundreds-to-watch-match.html

- What's happening in the photo, what do the banners say?

-Why do you think football fans are holding up those banners? What is happening around Europe at the moment?

-What do the banners say about Germany and football fans in Germany?

- How do you think the banners make people who are trying to settle in Germany feel?

-What do we say in our school about people being different? Do we welcome everyone?

LGBT Football support

On August 30th 2015, the University Blacks, a football team in Australia changed their strip for one with rainbow colours to show support for the "gay, that's ok" campaign. The team also painted their 50m line with rainbows.

The team were inspired by former team member Lachlan Beaton, who hid his sexuality for years before coming out to this team. 

Other football teams in Australia are now planning to show support in future games. 

- What looks different about the football team shirts?

- What can rainbow colours be used to show support for?

-Why do the football team want to show support for gay people? Are all the footballers in the photo gay?

Tell the children about Lachlan Beaton

-Why do you think Lachlan didn't tell his team mates he was gay?

-How do you think Lachlan feels about his team wearing the rainbow colours?

- What do the rainbow colours tell us about this football team?

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/08/30/this-football-team-changed-their-strip-in-a-cool-show-of-support-for-lgbt-people/