Empty Shelves

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/edeka-german-supermarket-empty-shelves-racism-diversity-largest-chain-a7908551.html

What do you see here, where do you think it is, what do you notice about the shelves?

Do you recognise the language on the sign?

A supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, emptied shelves of all foreign-made produce.

Why do you think they did that?

What was the impact of taking out all foods not made in Germany?

They did it for a day to help people think about racism.

Why is this about racism?

Shoppers at Edeka store were able to see how many goods were made outside of Germany, and many shelves were empty. The shop put up signs saying, "This shelf is pretty boring without diversity."

Why put that sign up?

What are the shop trying to show their customers?

Is that a good way to start a conversation about racism? 

A spokesperson from Edeka said, "Edeka stands for variety and diversity. In our stores we sell numerous foods which are produced in the various regions of Germany. But only together with products from other countries is it possible to create the unique variety that our customers value."

What do you think they mean by unique variety?

How can a shop stand for variety and diversity?

- Where does the food that we buy come from? Does it all come from England?
- Why don't shops in England sell only food that is made in England, and shops in Germany sell only food that was is made in Germany?
- What does this demonstrate about different people around the world and how we live together?
- Some people think that if we have different skin or live in different places or have different faith, that we can't get along. What do we say in our school?
- What can we learn from Edeka?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

- Which British value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

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Poster

 

https://www.today.com/parents/teacher-remove-everyone-is-welcome-here-sign-rcna196282?fbclid=IwY2xjawKvgRpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4NGRTdVA2dmo1ODh4aFE3AR51bM11ZSlgCUrHh0m_PCSZtuBxZFIWQzfG9xL2JQFJko9MlpR3A5bki_c2Qg_aem_mZjGDcMXe-i2F4VdEv93tw

What do you see here, where do you think this sign is, what do you think the story might be?

Sarah Inama is a y6 teacher in Idaho, USA. She has posters on the walls of her classroom. One is shown above, the other says, "Everyone in the classroom is welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued and equal" Her posters have been up for the last 5 years.

Why do you think Sarah has these posters on her classroom wall?

Do you think it's ok to have these posters on a classroom wall? 

What do you think this story might be about?

At the start of the year. Sarah was visited in her classroom by the principle and vice principle. They told her she had to remove the posters.

What reason do you think they gave? 

Sarah was told that her posters were controversial and needed to be taken down.

What does controversial mean?

What reason do you think they had for calling the posters controversial?

Sarah was told there was a district council policy that said classrooms must respect the rights of people to express differing opinions and decorations are to be "content- neutral and conducive to a positive learning environment"

What do you think this means?

What do you think content neutral means?

What do you think a positive learning environment is?

Why do you think Sarah's principle believes the posters are not content- neutral or positive?

Can you see both sides to this debate?

Sarah removed the signs.

Why do you think she did that?

What would you say to Sarah?

After a weekend thinking about it, she put the signs back up on Monday and emailed her principle to tell him.

What are the two sides of this argument? (You could argue Sarah is standing up for her rights, on the other hand she has been told by her boss not to have the posters up...)

The school district had a meeting where council officials offered to buy Sarah alternative posters as long as they didn't have the same messages as her current posters.

Sarah has been given till the end of the year to remove her posters "or face further action"

What do you think further action might be?

The school district released a statement. 

What do you hope is in the statement?

"While classroom decorations can contribute to the atmosphere, a truly welcoming and supportive environment is built through meaningful relationships and positive interactions between staff and students, not posters on the wall. Our focus is on fostering kindness, respect and academic achievement, so that every student can thrive in a distraction-free learning environment."

Approved classroom decorations include the American flag, maths tables, the US constitution (like our British values), student artwork, club information and school achievements.

"The policy is designed to ensure that no one group is targeted or offended by the display of certain items."

Can you understand the point of view of the district?

Do you agree a supportive environment is built through relationships and not posters?

Can you understand Sarah's point of view?

What would you say to the district council?

What message would you give to Sarah? What do think she should do?

What do we say in our school about these kind of posters?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging