Brexit

https://www.businessinsider.com/video-european-parliament-sings-auld-lang-syne-after-approving-brexit-2020-1?r=US&IR=T

On January 31st 2020 Britain left the European Union. Britain joined the European Union in 1973 after a referendum where 67% of voters voted to join. In 2016 another referendum was held to decide whether Britain should stay in the union and 51% of voters voted to leave.

This week a deal was agreed by Members of the European parliament to allow Britain to leave the European Union. The MEPs who were from different countries and with different beliefs hugged each other and then joined hands to sing "Auld Lang Syne".

The words to the famous song are:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my jo
For auld lang syne
we'll tak a cup o kindness yet
for auld lang syne

The most accurate interpretation of the words Auld lang syne is "for the sake of old times".

The European Commission President Ursula Von De Leyen quoted George Elliot in her speech and said, "Only in the agony of parting do we look in to the depths of love. We will always love you and we will never be far." Some MEPs held scarfs that said, "United in our diversity"

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain should hail, "the dawn of a new era". Some people are happy Britain is leaving the EU, believing the country will be better.

what do you see in the picture?
where are they, who are they? what are they doing?
what are the blue screens for?

explain the picture

- what is Europe?
- When people talk about "leaving Europe" what do they mean? are we all going to have to move?
- what is a referendum?
- why do you think some people think Britain should leave the European Union?
- why do you think some people think Britain should stay in the European Union?
- in the referendum 51% voted to leave, so how many voted to stay? what does that show about British people and what they felt about Europe during the referendum? (difference of opinion)
- what is a democracy?
- some people feel very strongly that Britain should stay in the European Union but they will no longer be able to. Why?
- "should auld acquaintance be forgot and never bought to mind" what does this mean?
- why did MEPs sing Auld lang syne
- why did some MEPs hold scarves that said, "United in our diversity"? what does that mean?
- what does Boris Johnson mean by "the dawn of a new era"?
- Can British people still work with people from other countries if we are not part of the European Union? (yes)
- are people who were born in other European countries welcome in our school? (yes! we love difference and diversity)
- on New Year's Eve, London mayor Sadiq Khan said, "We may be leaving the European Union but we are not leaving Europe," and called London, "A European city"; what does he mean?
- We say the one of the best things about our school is its diversity; why is that?

reflection: why it is good that we live in a democracy, how do we make sure in our school and also in our city that everyone feels welcome and no one feels like an outsider this week?

www.no-outsiders.com

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

Holocaust memorial

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

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

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

Body confident

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-51206154/hannah-the-body-positive-quadruple-amputee

Hannah Olateju lives in the UK and works in social media. She is a very confident and happy person. When Hannah was 2 years old she had meningitis and had all four limbs amputated to save her life. As she was growing up, Hannah says she did not see pictures of amputees like her.

"When I was younger I never really saw people like myself on TV. I didn't see anything so I became that example for myself."

Hannah says, "People sometimes feel quite uncomfortable with an amputee and they don't really know how to cope with you or how to manage or how to speak sometimes. So I always make a point of complimenting them or making a joke, basically showing them that everything's fine."

"I think it's very important that people like myself or people who aren't seen as normal are seen in normal circumstances because we need to show people that we are just like them.... life is not that different. The only difference between you and me is that I have less limbs."

"It's OK, it's OK to be yourself. To people who think that we should just be behind the curtain and not be looked at, they need to get a life first of all, and they need to go and focus on their own life and let people like myself continue living our best life."

What do you see in the picture?
How is the person in the picture similar to you?
How is the person in the picture different to you?

explain the story

- Hannah talks about being an amputee; what is an amputee?
- Listening to Hannah talk, what do you think she feels about being an amputee?
- "People sometimes feel uncomfortable with an amputee.." why?
- why does Hannah make a joke with people when she meets them?
- what is Hannah trying to show people around her all the time?
- Why doesn't Hannah hide her limbs?
- what does the wording on the Tshirt mean?
- "Life is not that different." what does Hannah mean?
- how do you think Hannah felt growing up and never seeing images of amputees?
- If Hannah came to our school, would she feel different? How would we make sure Hannah did not feel different at our school?
- What can we learn from Hannah?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

www.no-outsiders.com

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

Believe in yourself

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07p7zg4

Kuda was borm without his left foot. He says children used to laugh at him saying, "He doesn't have a leg!" but then he says he realised, "Being disabled doesn't mean you don't have anything to do in life." Today Kuda is the first disabled person to play for Zimbabwe's Homeless Football Team.

Kuda says, "I can do everything; run, jumping, somersaults. I just feel normal."

But as a young player Kuda was turned away from many junior football clubs and today he struggles to find work as people say he can't do things. he says, "I am a person, I am a human being."

He competed to play for the Homeless football team and was chosen from over 1000 players to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff last year. Now he wants to be a role model and open a disabled sports school in Zimbabwe. He says his Mum was his inspiration; when he was younger she used to tell him, "Go and face those challenges, you'll be strong one day."

Today Kuda has a message to those living with disabilities; "Believe in yourself, guys. God is for everyone, the able bodied and the disabled so keep on believing."

what do you see in the picture?
what job does the person have?
what is different about the person?

explain the story

- How do you think Kuda felt as a child when children laughed at him?
- why would football clubs turn him down?
- "I am a person, a human being, I just just feel normal": what does Kuda mean by this?
- "Go face those challenges; one day you'll be strong" what do you think of Mum's advice?
- Kuda wants to open a disabled sports club; why? What do you think of this idea? Is the sports club only for people who live with disabilities? What are the arguments for and against this idea? What other options are there?
 - Why do you think Kuda says, "Believe in yourself,"?
- what can we learn from Kuda?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

Reflection: think about how Kuda's life is different to yours; think about the times when children laughed at him, what would yoo say if you were at school with Kuda and you saw that happening?

www.no-outsiders.com

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

Dementia board

https://megaphone.upworthy.com/p/doctor-dementia-whiteboard?fbclid=IwAR0R1jRcq4R1m8XEQFIuAXKSqKKX12KHZ_t5JKJ0YhY0dK_Cu6plxEt3sL4

Dr Phillip Grimmer is a doctor in Wiltshire who visits people suffering from dementia. People with dementia often experience memory loss, struggling to remember things which can cause worry and stress. They can also find difficult in thinking and problem solving.

Dr Grimmer was visiting one patient and saw this board on the wall that the patient's daughter had written to reassure her. The daughter said the board helped to reduce anxious phone calls from her Mum.

Dr Grimmer put the picture on twitter and got over 7000 likes. he said the board was, "caring, reassuring and sensible - it's just such a simple idea."

Lots of doctors commented on the picture. One said, "I have seen people talk down to those with dementia, which is just not right. they are still adults who know when they are being treated differently."

"People just do not know how to interact with them. It takes patience."

 What do you see in the picture?
where do you think it is?
who is it for?
Why is it there?

explain the story

- what is dementia?
- who can suffer from dementia? (anyone can)
- why do you think the Mum is making lots of "anxious phone calls"? what will she be saying?
- why has the daughter made this board?
- how do you think Mum feels when she reads the board?
- "I have seen people talk down to those with dementia," what does the doctor mean by this?
- why might having dementia make someone feel like an outsider?
- what is the daughter doing to try and stop her mum feeling like an outsider?
- do you think it's working? why?
- "people just do know know how to interact with them. It takes patience" what do you think the doctor is encouraging people to think about? (how to work with people who are different)
- what can we learn from the daughter in this story?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

reflection: think about how we can care for people who need help. Think about something I can do this week to show care and compassion.

www.no-outsiders.com

No Outsiders in our school: teaching the Equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

utility bill

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-50871948?fbclid=IwAR0p1XYhpegJK3E1qHpI6HbwGZ2a635hzhNTJEUVUKBtFlQ3AvrtmoE2Q64

When paying his latest gas and water bill, 73 year old Michael Esmond noticed the bill said supplies would be cut off if not paid by December 26th. Michael realised this might mean some families who were struggling to afford their bills might spend the holiday without electricity or gas. So he decided to pay bills for them.

Michael contacted the city of Gulf Breeze Florida, where he lives, and asked how many families were overdue with payments. He then paid all the overdue bills, so that 36 families in his city would not have supplies cut off.

Michael back in the 1980's when he was struggling to pay bills, his gas was cut off over winter, meaning his family had no heat.

Unbeknown to Michael, the city sent out cards to all the families whose bills had been paid. The cards read, "It is our honour and privilege to inform you that your past due utility bill has been paid by Gulf Breeze Pools and Spas" (Michael's company)

"You can rest easier this holiday knowing that you have one less bill to pay."

Michael says he was inundated with messages of thanks once the cards went out. Many people have said they will pay the money forward or donate money to charity.

What do you see in the picture?
who do you think the person is?
what are they holding?
can anyone guess the story?

explain the story

- why do people need gas and electric?
- why might some people struggle to pay for gas and electric?
- why would a supply be cut off? What happens then?
- why do you think Michael had this idea?
- Did Michael know who he was paying bills for?
- the people could have been black or white, follow different religions, be in families where there are two Mums or two Dads, have disabilities, come from different countries. Why didn't Michael check first who he was paying bills for?
- what does this show about how Michael feels about difference and diversity in his city? (he doesn't care if you are different to him, he just wants you to have gas and electric and be warm)
- how do you think people felt when they heard Michael had paid their bill?
- people are saying they will 'pay it forward' what does this mean?
- Do you think news of Michael's choices and actions might have any impact on people living in his city?
- when people talk about community cohesion, what does that mean?
- why is this about No Outsiders?

www.no-outsiders.com

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

Dancing on ice

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/viewers-moved-tears-first-same-17516491

Two men competed in "Dancing On Ice" as a couple for the first time in the show this week. It is the first time a same-sex pair have competed in a show like this on TV. There has never been a competing same-sex couple on the ballroom dancing show Strictly, which has been running for 17 years.  One of the pair, Ian H Watkins, said after the show, "We've shown two men can perform together." "The world is ready for this."

Matt Evers, the professional skater said, "Thank you to everyone at home that is accepting of this because this is normal. It is absolutely normal."

- what do you see in the picture
-where is it?
- what do you notice about he two people in the photo?

explain the story

- This story made news across the UK; why?
- think about people you have seen dancing together on TV; have you ever seen a male and female couple dance together? Can you think of a time before this week that you saw a same-sex couple dance together? Why do you think that is?
- "The world is ready for this." what does Ian mean?
- "This is normal, it is absolutely normal" why is Matt saying that?
- What are Ian and Matt showing the world?
- If a young person who is gay or lesbian watches this, how will they feel?
- Matt said, "Thank you to everyone at home who is accepting of this," which suggests he fears some may not be accepting. But in the first vote, Matt and Ian got through, so many people did vote for them. Only sixteen people across the UK complained about Ian and Matt dancing together. What does this show about Britain today?
- what can we learn from Ian and Matt
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

www.no-outsiders.com

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

Flowers

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3453325/The-romantic-flower-garden-world-Husband-plants-thousands-pink-blooms-people-come-spend-time-blind-wife-didn-t-feel-lonely.html

Toshiyuki Kuroki and Yasuko were married for 30 years when Yasuko began to lose her sight. She became depressed and stopped going out of the house, afraid to meet people. Toshiyuki wanted to think of a way to make his wife happy again so he worked for 10 years on a beautiful garden surrounding his house, so that people would come and visit, enjoy the garden and meet Yasuko.

Toshiyuki planted thousands of bright pink flowers around his house and thousands of visitors come to his house every year to enjoy the garden, the beautiful colour and scent, and to say hello to Yasuko. It is not only the flowers that have become famous; people want to meet Toshiyuki and Yasuko and listen to their love story. Yasuko talks to all the visitors, although she can't see them, to tell them about her story. Meeting new people every day has made Yasuko happy again and she loves the smell of the flowers surrounding her house.

what do you see in the picture?
where is the picture taken?
who do you think the people are?
what do you notice about the people?

explain the story

- Who felt like an outsider at the start of this story? Why?
- why do you think Toshiyuki decided planting flowers might help?
- it took ten years for the garden to fully grow, why didn't Toshiyuki give up?
- why do you think so many people come to visit today?
- Yasuko used to be frightened of meeting people. She is still blind, yet she talks to new people every day; what has changed?
- How has Toshiyuki stopped his wife feeling like an outsider?
- what can we learn from Yasuko?
- what can we learn from Toshiyuko?
- Why is this story about our school? (this is about recognising when someone feels like an outsider and doing something about it. Toshiyuki could not enable his wife to see again but he could find a way to make sure she felt included again. That is our aim; we need to make sure whatever challenges people face in our school, we will work together to overcome those challenges. No one is left behind here.)

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

Film diversity

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-50970519?fbclid=IwAR081L6S25hcWcM_1BxTGbh76kY4cRkj6SWywbLQwGEMNClaaA1C-i1Knd0

There are reports that Marvel will include a character who is transgender in a future film. There will also be a character who is gay and another who is deaf. In the film "The Eternals" there will be the first Asian-American superhero.

Kevin  Feige, the boss of Marvel Studios says, "We want the movies to reflect the audience and we want every member of our global audience to see themselves reflected on the screen."

When speaking about the new Thor film released in 2021, the actor Tessa Thompson who plays Valkyrie was asked what her character would do in her new role as King of the new Asgard. Tessa replied, "As a new King, she needs to find her Queen".

Speaking about the gay character in  'The Eternals', Kevin said, "He's married, he's got a family, that's just part of who he is."

What do you see in the picture?
where is the photo taken from?

explain the story

- what do you notice about the characters in the picture? (all different)
- "we want every member of our global audience to see themselves reflected on screen" what does this mean?
- who goes to see films? (everyone- different race, religion, sexual orientation, disability)
- why do Marvel Studios want people to see themselves 'reflected on screen'?
- what does this tell us about Marvel Studios and their attitude to being different?
- why do you think until now there has never been an Asian-American superhero?
- why it this changing?
- "as a new King she needs to find a Queen" why is this an interesting quote?
- Marvel say there will be superheroes who are deaf, or who are gay; what does this show us bout how the world in 2020 is changing?
- when speaking about the character who is gay, Kevin says, "that's just part of who he is" what does he mean? (that being gay does not define a person, it's just one part of who they are. They could be gay and deaf and Asian-American and left handed!)
- what can we learn from Marvel Studios?
- 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