Sunday 27 January 2019

Holocaust memorial

hanna-oppenheim.jpg
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/holocaust-memorial-day-hitler-nazi-germany-jewish-woman-flowers-a8746976.html

In 1933 Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany and in November that year he visited Munich for a huge celebration. A local school was asked to choose a child to present Hitler with a bunch of flowers at the ceremony and 9 year old Hannah Oppenheim was chosen by her classmates to perform the honour.

Last year, aged 94, Hannah described feeling both terrified and excited as she climbed the steps of the stage in front of a huge crowd, towards Hitler. A soldier took the flowers and Hannah says, "All this time the Fuhrer just stood there and didn't shake my hand. I remember a stern face and a uniform. I then stepped back to the warmth of my classmates." Hannah is Jewish.

When she got home and told her parents, they were very shocked. Hannah's parents were about to leave Germany because of the hatred directed at Jews from Hitlers Nazi party. Hannah describes how life was changing for her Jewish family since Hitler came to power. Her Dad provided timber for builders, but gradually work was getting harder to find as people Jewish people faced more and more hate and discrimination. Orders from companies Hannah's Dad  had worked with for years were being cancelled. Business letters were no longer signed "Yours faithfully", but "Heil Hitler".

At school there were weekly lessons where children were taught about Hitler saving Germany. Hannah's classmates knew she was Jewish but this did not affect her friendships. She remembers one boy saying, "Well, it's not your fault you are Jewish" and returning every day to pick her up on the way to school. When her parents decided it was no longer safe to be at school, Hannah's friends told her the teacher had left a picture of hers on the blackboard so that everyone would remember her.

Hannah and her family left Germany and had a huge party with all of their friends, including Jews and non-Jews before escaping to Israel. There they lived safely. Meanwhile Hitler's Nazi party took Jewish people to concentration camps and over 6 million were murdered. Some of Hannah's family decided to stay in Germany. They were taken to a concentration camp and only three children survived.

This is known as the Holocaust and every year on 27th January, people all over the world hold services to remember the 6 million Jews who died at that time. The Nazis also imprisoned gay people, people with disabilities and people who disagreed with them. Anyone who was different was in danger. Today people all over the world say we must never forget the Holocaust.

what do you see in the picture
Do you think the picture is old? why?
Say this story is about the Holocaust. Does anyone know what the Holocaust was?

Explain the picture and story

- What was it like to be Jewish in Hitler's Germany?
- Where does hate come from? (because some people don't understand about No Outsiders and diversity. They think we all have to be the same; one race, one religion, one kind of person. It's the opposite to us, we know the world is better with different race, religion and different people. But Hitler was able to convince people that he was right, and the Jews were the first to be blamed and persecuted. Later other groups were also persecuted because once you convince people that one group of people are outsiders, it's easy to add other groups to your list)
- It's interesting that Hannah's class chose her to give Hitler flowers. They knew that she was Jewish and they knew he was spreading hate about Jews. Hannah doesn't explain this. Why do you think she might have been chosen?
- Why is it a good thing that Hannah was chosen? What does this suggest Hannah's class felt about Jewish people, and about Hitlers ideas? Why is it good for Hitler to have to accept flowers from a Jewish child before thousands of people?
- What do you think Hannah's teacher was thinking at that moment?
- Hannah describes walking away from Hitler and stepping back to "the warmth of her classmates" why does she use those words?
- When Hannah left school, why did her teacher keep her picture on the blackboard? Even though the children were being taught to hate one group of people, what does this action show about what they really thought?
- what can we learn from Hannah's classmates?
- Why do people remember the Holocaust every year? It happened a long time ago, why don't we forget it?
- some people are beginning to forget; a survey in 2020 showed half of Americans didn't know that 6 million Jewish people were killed in the holocaust or when it happened. Does this matter?
- Some people today still think we should make groups of people 'outsiders' because of difference. What do we say in our school?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality At in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Two picture books I have used to talk about the holocaust:
Rose Blanch - Ian McEwan and Roberto Innocenti
The Harmonica- Tony Johnston

Saturday 19 January 2019

North Pole


https://www.wired.com/story/inside-all-female-trek-to-north-pole/

Eleven women from across Europe and the Middle East have become famous for trekking to the North Pole together. The women aged 28-50 are from Qatar, Sweden, Iceland, Omar, Russia, France, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Kuwait, Slovenia and UK.

The project, set up by Felicity Aston, had two aims: science and also to foster good relations between European and Arabian women. Ida Olssen from Sweden said even before they even started she'd gained a new understanding of why some women wear head coverings; "In my mind it always felt forced - that men forced the women to do it. But when the girls here talk about it, it's something they actually want to do; they're not forced to do it. That was completely new to me."

Ida also said she wanted to show women and girls that you didn't need to be a superhero to achieve a big objective. Some of the women had worked in the wilderness before, but some had never skied before.

The group trekked together through temperatures of -36 degrees pulling heavy sledges. Those who were accomplished skiers would go on ahead and then always waited for the others to catch up so the group stayed together.

Before this trip the records of female travellers to the North Pole were non existent. These women have changed that. The photo shows the group at the moment they reached the North Pole. The ice drifts so they were 90 degrees North for only a few minutes. The journey took eight days. Each held a flag for the photo.

What do you see in the photo
What is happening?
Where are they?
What do you think the story is?

explain the story

- why do you think until now there are only records of men travelling to the North Pole?
- why do you think Felicity Aston set up the expedition?
- why do you think Felicity chose to involve women from so many different backgrounds? What was she trying to show?
- How did Ida learn about women wearing head coverings? (she asked questions)
- Today in the UK, what is the best way to learn about different people and different cultures? (talk to people and ask questions)
- Why is the UK a great place to find out about different people? (because it is diverse)
- Some of the group were better skiers than others. Why didn't they ski faster to get to the North Pole first?
- Why did the explorers hold flags for the photo? What were they showing?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders? (If a child says it's not about No Outsiders because there are no men, say that's an interesting point- what do we think? Why did Felicity choose to just have women this time; what has happened in the past? What is she trying to show about women today? It is about No Outsiders because in the past women have been left out. Also because Felicity is making sure people from different countries work together. In future how can explorers make sure all expeditions are inclusive?)

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Saturday 12 January 2019

Nicest place in America


Yassin's Falafel House in Knxoville, Tennessee has been named "nicest place in America" by readers of Readers Digest magazine.

The owner, Yassin Terou is a Muslim refugee from Syria.

Readers were asked to nominate 'the nicest place in America' and 450 places were then voted for by a panel and finally the public.  Yassin's restaurant is famous for the sign in the photo which ends with "All people safe here at Yassin's Falafel's House,"

Yassin says, "I sat in the corner of my restaurant one day and watched the people. There was a lady from the African-American community at one table, a pastor of a church at another, there was a table of young guys, a super conservative guy having lunch, and a group of Indian ladies that come often. They all were there at the same time and I think, 'this is what makes Yassin's different. We welcome all of them.They are all sitting and eating and laughing. This is what America is.'"

What do you see in the picture?
Where do you think it is?
Why do you think the sign was made?

explain the story

- why do you think Yassin's Falafel House has won "nicest place in America"?
- Why do different people feel safe at Yassin's Falafel House?
- Why does Yassin say, "We welcome all people"?
- Yassin is Muslim, do you think people who follow different faiths feel welcome at his restaurant? Why?
- People of America have voted for a Muslim refugee to win. What does this show about how many people in the country feel about difference?
- What can we learn from Yassin?
- What can we learn from America?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Friday 4 January 2019

Diverse Congress

The photo Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar tweeted from her account Wednesday night.

The 116th US Congress is the most diverse US Congress in history. The elections in November 2018 saw more women voted in to congress than ever before. America also voted for leaders who were African-American, Muslim, Latin-American and Native-American. In January 2019 each representative attended a 'swearing in' ceremony where they accepted the responsibilities of their role.

The photo shows Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American member of congress at Washington Airport with her Dad, Ilhan says, "23 years ago from a refugee camp in Kenya, my Dad and I arrived at an airport in Washington DC. Today we return to that same airport on the eve my swearing in as the first Somali-American in Congress."

This is the first time Muslim women have been elected to Congress. Ilan Omar, representing Minnestoa, wore a hijab during her ceremony. For 181 years there has been a ban on headwear on the floor of the house, but the ban has been lifted and a hijab was worn for the first time during the ceremony. Rep Rashida Tlaib is also Muslim and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, making her Palestnian-American. Rashida chose not to wear a hijab.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/03/ilhan-omar-hijab-congress-headwear

Sharice Davids from Kansas and Deb Halaand from New Mexico are the first Native American women to serve as representatives in Congress. Sharice is Lesbian which also makes her the first openly LGBT representative from Kansas.  There are also Latina women representatives for the first time.

What do you see in the picture?
What do you think is happening?
Where was the photo taken?

explain the picture

- Ilhan Omar arrived in America from a refugee camp. What is a refugee?
- Why are Ilhan and her Dad looking so happy in the photo?
- Ilhan was once a refugee and she has now been elected to represent Minnesota in Congress; what can we learn from Ilhan?
- What does this show about people in Minnesota and attitudes towards refugees in America today?
- Why do you think this is the first time so many people from different backgrounds have been elected? What does this show about attitudes changing around the world?
- For 181 years no headwear was allowed on the floor of the house of representatives- why? (tradition)
- Why has the ban been lifted? Was it the right thing to do? Why? What does this show about ideas and attitudes changing?
- Ilhan chose to wear a hijab and Rashida chose not to wear a hijab; what does this show about Muslim women and hijabs? (women can choose to wear a hijab or choose not to)
- Is it important for a country to have a diverse group of people in Government or in Congress? Why?
- What message does Ilhan's story give to people who are different?
- What can we learn from America today?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Thursday 3 January 2019

London is open

Fireworks explode around the London Eye during New Year's celebrations in central London just after midnight on Jan. 1, 2019.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/new-years-eve-events-around-world-celebrations-fireworks-sydney-london-nyc-today-2018-12-31/

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-new-years-eve-2018-capital-welcomes-2019-with-spectacular-firework-display-in-the-heart-of-a4027816.html

Around the world on December 31st people celebrated the start of 2019. In London 100,000 people gathered together on the banks of the river Thames to bring the new year in. As the 12,000 fireworks exploded over the city, the words, "London is open" were spoken in seven languages as part of the display.

Music from across Europe was played during the show to celebrate London's diversity. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said "I'm proud that this year the millions watching around the globe will see us send a message of support to more than one million EU citizens who call London their home."

What do you see in the picture?
Where is it?
Why is it happening?

explain the story

- Who celebrates New Year?
- Why do people celebrate new year?
- There were 100,000 people celebrating together in London. We can't see the crowd in the picture; what do you think the crowd looked like? (diverse)
- Why do you think the organisers chose to use the words "Londond is open"?
- Why say the words in 7 different languages?
- What is an EU citizen?
- Why does the mayor want to send a message support to EU citizens living in London? What do you think the message is?
- What can we learn from London and this story?
- By saying London is open, who else do you think is welcome in the city? What other groups of people live in London and the UK - different faith, families (LGBT), disabilities, age, gender. What does the Equality Act 2010 say about different people being welcome?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

Note: use this link  https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2019/jan/01/new-years-eve-celebrations-and-fireworks-around-the-world-in-pictures after your talk to reinforce the concept of different people all over the world celebrating the same thing regardless of race, religion etc

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat



Wednesday 2 January 2019

Gender Equality

Image result for linemen hazard sign
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/new-zealand-sexist-road-signs-girl-letter/?fbclid=IwAR2wJaMyME63rps9aK02jjyx5v6vDSnvH5ROW-wBCK-M4Bq4Kc3upU7y8O8

Zoe Carew lives in New Zealand and is seven years old. On the way to visit her grandma she spotted a hazard sign warning people there were electricians working overhead. The electricians are called Linemen.

Zoe felt there was something wrong with the sign and wrote to the head of the New Zealand Transport agency . In her letter she wrote,
"I wondered why it said "MEN" when women can be line-workers too. I don't really want to be a line-worker when I grow up because there are so many more exciting things I would like to do, but some girls might want to learn to be line-women. Why does the sign say "Linemen" when the people working on the lines may be men or women? I think the sign is wrong and unfair. Do you agree?"

The transport agency agreed with Zoe and have announced they will change all the signs. Posting on twitter, they said, "We were happy to take Zoe's suggestion on board because great ideas can come from anyone, including seven-year-olds! Good on you, Zoe!"

What do you see in the picture?
Do you recognise the country?
What does the sign mean?
What do you think the story is?

Explain the story

- Where is New Zealand?
- Why did Zoe say the sign was wrong?
- Why do you think the sign says "Linemen"?
- What is gender equality?
- How has gender equality changed?
- Why do you think the transport agency decided to listen to the views of a seven year old?
- What does this tell us about people around the world and how they see gender equality?
- What law do we have in the UK that protects people of different gender? (The Equality Act 2010)
- Why is this story a good example of Pupil Voice?
- What can we learn from Zoe?
- What can we learn from the transport agency?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary Schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat