First day at school

https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Photo-of-boy-holds-hands-calms-classmate-with-autism-on-first-day-of-school-558029931.html?fbclid=IwAR1DW7RhppFjMaBw3NIe6eoNOmiDhNura2WR9hvOTsCaMwoWwLhYgpb9QTg

This photo shows 8 year old Christian holding hands with Connor, a boy in his class. The picture was taken on the first day of school; Christian saw Connor curled up and crying in a corner so he walked over and took Connor's hand to walk him in to school.

The photo quickly went viral and Connors Mum thanked Christian, explaining her son was autistic. Mum said, "I worry every day that he he going to get bulled for being different and your son just absolutely warmed my heart. If there were more children like him I wouldn't worry about such things."

what do you see in the picture?
where is it taken?
what is happening?

explain the story

- what is autism? (I asked a child with autism how to describe what autism means. Oliver told me, "autism is your brain wired differently so you see the world in a different way. It' just a different view of the world." Oliver says some things are harder for him but but also he better at some things than other children.)
- why do you think Connor was crying?
- when Christian saw Connor crying, what choices did he have?
- why do you think Christian took Connor's hand?
- We don't know if Christian said anything, what might he have said?
- how do you think Connor felt when Christian took his hand?
- why does Mum worry about Connor being different?
- what do we say about being different in our school?
- what can we learn from Christian?
- 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

Back to school shirt

https://www.upworthy.com/6-year-old-designed-a-custom-t-shirt-for-his-first-day-of-school?fbclid=IwAR0gBuoL47JzCl-j_zRKiWR_QegY_U7HYPDAbpvWUqlDn-O3C1pggFcj5DQ

Blake Rajhan is a 6 year old boy living in Georgia  USA and has designed a shirt to wear on his first day back at school. Mum told Blake he could wear whatever design he wanted; a superhero; football team; a cool dragon; Blake said he wanted to wear a shirt with the message, "I will be your friend".

Blake said he wanted to wear the shirt, "For all the kids who need a friend to know that I am here for them."

News of the shirt quickly spread and people started wearing shirts with the message #Blakesfriends.

When Blake was told about the other shirts, he said, "Oh good, now more and more people are going to have more and more friends." 

What do you see in the picture?
why do you think the child is wearing this shirt?
when would be a good time to wear the shirt?

explain the story

- what is the first day back at school like?
- what different feelings do children have when they start school?
- why do you think Blake chose to wear this shirt?
- why doesn't Blake;s shirt say, "I will be your friend if you are black" or "I will be your friend if you are white" or "I will be your friend if you are Christian"?
- does Blake care about the race or religion of his friends? Do you think Blake cares if his friends have disabilities, different genders or different families?
- what kind of person do you think Blake is?
- do you think Blake will have lots of friends? Why?
- why are people wearing shirts with the message #blakesfriends
- What can we learn from Blake?
- 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