Different dolls

https://crafty.diply.com/29203/woman-creates-a-doll-like-me-for-children-who-have-disabilities?fbclid=IwAR1RWhYVcpOrEHX7KfFDOhxj1OTL7-_4OuCBlS4ivMylpi4XTq6me4hQlHc

A doll maker has started making dolls that look different, for children who also look different. The doll maker works in a hospital with children who have cancer and uses dolls in her work with the children. But she noticed that the dolls had thick hair and looked healthy, in comparison to many of the children she was working with.

The doll maker wants children to understand they are beautiful, but she feels it is difficult to make a child understand they are beautiful when "they can't see themselves in anything that's supposed to look like them."

She raised money to fund her dolls and she has been inundated with requests from parents who want their children to have dolls that look like them. The story went viral and lots of messages of support came in. One person on twitter wrote, "It allows the children to realise it's ok to be different."

what do you see in the picture?
what do you notice about the children and their dolls?
why do you think the dolls look different?

explain the story

- what is a doll for?
- why do children like playing with dolls?
- why do you think this doll maker decided to make dolls that looked different?
- look at the faces of the children in the picture, how do you think they feel about their dolls?
- why do you think the children love their new dolls?
- why is the doll maker trying to make children who look different understand they are beautiful?
- "thy can't see themselves in anything that's supposed to look like them" what does this mean? How do we fix this?
- what can we learn from the doll maker?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Recalaiming radical ideas in schools: preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Coming out

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/18/dads-touching-note-to-gay-son-nate-coming-out-viral-picture_n_2899907.html

A Dad overheard his son talking on his phone about telling his parents he was gay. The son was worried about coming out to his parents. The note shows Dad always knew his son was gay and he was not worried about that. The note was shared online and many people praised Dad's reaction.

At the same time as the note surfaced, back in 2013, an American Senator who had previously voted against same sex marriage announced he had changed his mind on the issue due to his son coming out. The senator said, "It allowed me to think of this issue from a new perspective, and that's of a dad who loves his son a lot and wants him to have the same opportunities that his brothers and sisters would have- to have a relationship like Jane and I have had for over 26 years."

What do you see in the picture?
read the letter- who is written for, who wrote it?

explain the story

- what does "coming out" mean in this context? ("coming out" is when a person who is LGBT chooses to share that identity with others)
- why do you think Nate was worried about telling his Dad that he was gay?
- who do you think Mike is? (Nate's boyfriend)
- How do you think Dad felt when he overheard Nate talking?
- Dad says he knew Nate was gay since he was six. Why do you think Dad never said to Nate, "I know you are gay!" (because it's important that Nate chooses when to tell people he is gay; no one else has the right to say what you are or what you are not. Nate needed to understand in his own time and choose to tell people when he thought it was the right time to do so)
- Dad thinks Nate was gay when he was six, do you think Nate suddenly 'turned gay' when he was six, or do you think it's just a part of who he is, and it has always been part of him?
- Is Dad worried about his son being gay?
- what is Dad worried about in the letter? (bringing bread home - that's the most important thing to Dad)
- how do you think Nate felt when he saw the note?
- what message to you think Nate wanted to give people by sharing this note?
- what can we learn from Nate's Dad?
- 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
-
-

Remembrance Sunday

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46124467

People across the UK will hold a two minute silence this weekend to remember all those who lost their lives in World War One and all wars around the world. World War One lasted from 1914-1918 and ended at 11:00 AM on 11th November 1918. The photo shows Indian troops serving with the British army praying outside a mosque in Surrey during the war.

It is estimated that 1.5 million Indian troops fought with Britain in World War 1, and 400,000 of those were Muslim soldiers. Recent research shows that over 4 million Muslims either fought or served as labourers during the war. But another survey shows only 22% of people in Britain knew that Muslims had fought in the war.

Today many historians are trying to make sure people know about everyone who fought and died in the war. Historian Steve Ballinger says, "Finding out that Muslim soldiers fought and died for Britain to protect us and protect the freedoms we enjoy today, that's an important history for everyone to know."

What do you see in the picture?
where is it ?
do you think it looks like an old picture? how can you tell?
what are they doing, who are they?

explain the picture

- what is Remembrance Sunday?
-why do we have Remembrance Sunday?
- World War One ended over 100 years ago, why do we remember it, why don't we just move on?
- what is the two minute silence for?
- who fought in World War 1?
- In the photo there are lots of people in the background watching the soldiers pray; what do you think they are thinking?
- why do you think some people today forget the soldiers in the war were diverse?
- "It's important history for everyone to know," why?
- what can we learn from the soldiers of World War One?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

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

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

Use this book to explore Remembrance day further.

zebra

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/2019/09/rare-polka-dotted-zebra-foal-photographed-kenya

Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya has lots of animals including zebras. A baby zebra has been born who is a bit different to other zebras; this zebra has spots instead of stripes. The picture shows the baby zebra walking with its mother.

The zebra is making national news. It is not the first time this has happened but it is very rare. Life might be a little more difficult for the zebra, for example it may attract more flies as they don't like stripes but won't be put off by this spotted skin. Also the zebra will stand out from other zebras, making it more noticeable to predators.

However, research in South Africa found that in other cases where zebra's looked different, they were accepted and they lived happily with the herds.

what do you see in the picture?
where is it taken?
what is similar about the two animals, what is different?

explain the story

- what does a zebra usually look like?
- what is different about this baby zebra?
- has the mother abandoned her baby because it is different? why not?
- what does this show us about the mother zebra?
- do you think the other zebras will accept this different zebra?
- should the zebra try and grow some stripes?
- what would you say to the zebra?
- what can we learn from the zebra herd in this reserve?
- what can we learn from this zebra?
- 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

inclusive football

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/manchester-city-football-club-sensory-room_uk_5da59158e4b01c76560c705a

Manchester City Football Club have opened a sensory room at their stadium for fans with autism. The room is for families during matches and is designed to help all people access the game, even if they struggle with crowds or loud noises. The room was built using feedback from families who need it to attend matches.

The room has a view of the pitch, a quiet space away from the pitch and a dark sensory room with toys. The club says, "Opening this space is a big step for us to continue our long-standing mission of ensuring football is inclusive for all."

After the announcement, one parent on twitter said, "Sat trying to hold back tears  on the train home from work here. The possibility of finally taking my son to a match is incredible. What a club!"

Many parents of children with autism have supported the room and added stories of their own:
"Amazing news! We can hopefully all now come as a family to watch games as my autistic son struggles with sensory issues and often hasn't coped at games he has managed to attend. Thank you."

"I support Liverpool. I was born with autism so I can appreciate how good a move this is. Well played!"

"Great news. It's my dream to take my daughter to Bramall Lane, but it's doubtful."

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

- 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 some children with autism struggle at football matches?
- why do you think Manchester City Football Club have built this room?
- why did they use feedback from families who might use the room, why didn't they just build it themselves?
- "Our long standing mission of ensuring football is inclusive for all" what does this mean?
- why is a parent crying on the way home form work after reading the announcement?
- why do you think the other parent says it's "doubtful" that they can take their daughter to Bramall lane?
- what can we learn from Manchester City Football Club?
- 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

Trick or Treat

https://megaphone.upworthy.com/p/nursing-homes-trick-or-treating?fbclid=IwAR2PsnCCFqpUr4ADp2Udfuek2bEUlBuytaAQMDE5aIBT0BzG_qs0ydUO5wo

Nursing homes in the USA asked for families to visit them over Halloween this year for Trick or Treat. Residents saved up chocolate and sweets to give to children who visited. Many of the residents had not been visited for Trick or Treat for a long time, one said she has not had a Trick or Treat visit for over 30 years.

A recent study showed one in three seniors in the US felt lonely. Feeling lonely increases the risk of illness among elderly people.

The director of a nursing home in Utah said, "With you coming through that door you bring that youth with you and they become kids again."

What do you see in the picture?
where are they?
what is happening?

- what is Trick or Treat?
- Who usually takes part in Trick or Treat?
- Why do you think the people in the photo are asking for trick or treaters?
- why has the resident waited 30 years for a trick or treater?
- why are children not visiting the elderly residents?
- ""With you coming through that door you bring that youth with you and they become kids again." what does this mean?
- why do you think so many elderly people feel lonely?
- 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