Soldiers

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65378373

What do you see in the picture? Who are they, where are they? What do you think this story might be about? 

Vladyslav and Pavlo are soldiers in the Ukraine army and are a couple. They got engaged the day before this photo was taken and they hope that same-sex civil partnerships will soon be allowed in Ukraine. 

LGBTQ+ soldiers in Ukraine have been speaking out about their Pride and about the significance of Eurovision next week after they won the contest in 2022. Vladyslav says, "Ukraine's victory last year showed that Ukraine is invincible and that we can overcome any difficulties and adversities, whether it is a war or a contest. I believe it's a message to the world that despite the war we can show our creativity."

Another LGBTQ+ couple, Antonina, who identifies as non-binary, and Oleksandr, describe the moment Ukraine won Eurovision last year; "It felt like a miracle that Kalush had a chance to represent Ukraine with dignity. I thought, "Oh my god we won Eurovision, we are going to win this war!"

Oleksandr says, "Lots of people said that there were no gay people in the army," and the couple expected to receive homophobic abuse from soldiers when they joined up, but they have been pleasantly surprised; "It's more tolerant than we expected, and I think that is partly because of other LGBTQ+ military who came out." Oleksandr wears a rainbow badge on the front line and both wear another badge in army colours: a unicorn head which has become a symbol for LGBTQ+ soldiers serving in the Ukraine army.

Oleksandr says, "We are looking forward to seeing Ukraine perform in Eurovision this year. We've had very difficult times and Eurovision is like a breath of fresh air because when you see people doing what they like, enjoying what they are doing and that life is still going on, when you see people in Europe supporting Ukraine, that's very important. Especially when you're on the front line."

- Where is Ukraine, what is the war about?

- How do you think winning Eurovision last year affected people in Ukraine? What message do you think they felt from Europe?

- "I believe it's a message to the world that despite the war we can show our creativity." what does this mean?

- "It shows us that life is still going on..." How is Eurovision impacting on these soldiers today as they work on the front line? (what is a 'front line'?)

- "Lots of people said that there were no gay people in the army," why do you think this is?

- Antonina tells us she is non-binary; what does that mean? (gender identity that is neither make or female) What pronouns should we use for a person who is non-binary? (if you have to use pronouns, ask them, they will tell you)

- Why does Oleksandr choose to wear a rainbow badge, why does he want people to know?

- The unicorn is an interesting choice of a symbol for LGBTQ+ soldiers, why do you think this was chosen (rather than a lion, a dolphin or a hedgehog, for example)

- Vladyslav and Pavlo got engaged, yet they cannot marry or have a civil partnership in Ukraine. So what is the point of getting engaged?

- Vladyslav and Pavlo are fighting for a country that does not legally recognise their relationship. How do you think this makes them feel? What should they do about that? Can they do anything about that?

- What can we do about it? (we can tell their story, talk about it and show our support by making sure in the place where we are, that LGBTQ+ people are respected).

- Should we all vote for Ukraine in Eurovision this year to support Vladyslav and Pavlo, Oleksandr and Antonina? Do you think that is what they would want? (You can vote for whatever country you want on the night; it is your choice- which British values is that about? (democracy))

- What can we learn from Vladyslav and Pavlo, Oleksandr and Antonina?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

- Which British values are referenced in this assembly?

Download for free the Eurovision scheme of work for KS2/ KS3 - 8 lesson plans linking Eurovision to PSHE, maths, art and design, historical enquiry, geography, https://excelsiormat.org/eurovision-scheme-of-work/

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com 

Hair

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/15/largest-afro-guinness-world-record?fbclid=IwAR2usPEgD6UvNGjNEFqnZwfH8M-_cZH7Wkqnh-5qplYRHMLRszrRFMGsIms

Aevin Duglas lives in Louisisana, USA, and has just set a world record for the third time in the last ten years. Aevin has the record for the largest afro, with a circumference of 5ft, 5 inches and a height of 9 inches.

Aevin says she continues to break the record to, personally vouch for the beauty of natural hair; "I didn't decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural. It's about pride in textured hair which leads to self-love."

Aevin remembers growing up and wanting to go for the world record because some cultures have historically associated straight hair with beauty, but by the time she was in her 20s, Aevin admired the natural hairstyles that many black women wore as an expression of beauty and pride. After an unsuccessful trip to a hairstylist, Aevin decided the best person to style her hair was herself.  

"From that day on, I knew: 'you know what? If you want to do your hair, do it yourself - learn it yourself."

Aevin says she gets a range of reactions from people when she lets her afro loose in public; some people yell words of admiration, some just stare or ask questions. Unfortunately some people think it's ok to approach her and touch or tug on her hair without asking permission. When that happens, Aevin says, "I've learned to just give them a little pop on the hand with a few words of choice I won't repeat."

Aevin says she likes how her afro helps her, "become this figure in a room full of people that everyone will notice," but she also wears her hair in other styles too. 

- What is afro-textured hair? Afro hair is associated with people of African and / or Caribbean descent. It can be curly, coiled and bouncy, it can sometimes be dry and needs to be looked after in a different way to straight hair.  Here is a great article from Newsround about afro-textured hair with a video of black children talking about pride for their hair https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/45146691

There are different types of hair. Everybody's hair is different, unique and beautiful. Your hair could be wavy, straight, curly, kinky. 

- "I didn't decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural. It's about pride in textured hair which leads to self-love." what does Aevin mean by this?

- what is identity? How is your hair connected to your identity?

- "some cultures have historically associated straight hair with beauty," what does this mean? How does this happen? How do we challenge that? (should we challenge it?)

- What can we do in our school to make sure everyone know their hair is unique and beautiful and they do not have to change it?

- why do some people touch Aevin's hair without asking? Why isn't that ok?

- Does Aevin always wear her hair in an afro style? Who gets to choose how Aevin waves her hair?

- There have been some examples of children in the UK being sent home from school because they wore their hair naturally in afro style. Why do you think this happened, what do we say in our school about hair and identity.

- What can we learn from Aevin?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

- Which British value is this about?

No Outsiders: Everyone welcome, everyone different by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Library

 

https://www.upworthy.com/town-defunded-its-library-for-having-lgbtq-books-so-people-donated-90k-to-keep-it-open

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/book-banners-now-trying-close-035217194.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAN46-6hzQk6bPr8IreE5AqHDwun-Kcv5F3abKjXla1g-qPQOK_v0UQyzr2iaSwZmi55NYZVzQSZBS4GLfSKJxqMjhrnjyrpUQgOhswVQGVvqIWnNaUehDcwx94CxSCvMoBi9ZF2Y9ApFF4g63V1ZYwNln_TW112DFtw5DyGGOwKr

What is happening in this picture? What do you see, what is it about?

A library in West Michigan, USA had a $200,000 funding cut last year after a vote by the public because it had books with LGBTQ+ characters. Some protestors argued that by having these books on its shelves, the library was indoctrinating young children. 

With the funding cut from the council the library would have to close. What do you think happened next? 

People who supported the LGBTQ+ community decided to challenge the library closure and set up GoFund me campaigns. 

Michigan resident Michelle Barrows set up one of the funding pages. She said, "I was very disheartened that the majority of this community believes in defunding this library because it has books with subjects they don't like or don't understand. If you don't like the book, don't check it out! Books don't make people gay. Books do provide understanding, teach tolerance and love of differences."

Resident Jesse Dillman said, "The Patemos library is a core part of the community fabric. I strongly believe that most residents here don't share these views and desire to keep funding our local library. 

So far $90,000 has been raised. 

In Llano County, Texas, a call to close the library was overturned last week Protestors compiled a list of books they wanted banned which included books on LGBTQ+ and race. A federal judge said that removing the books was an "infringement of free speech".

KA Holt is a children's book author from Texas. She argued, "Particularly in a place like rural Texas, having books in the library that represent people who are different than you are, and parts of the world that are different from yours, that little library is like an embassy to the rest of the world. When you close something like that down, or when you try to ban books that are different from your view of the world, what you’re doing is siloing yourself off even more. That’s not what makes critical thinkers.”

- What is a library for?

- what is indoctrination?

- what is free speech?

- How are indoctrination and free speech different? 

- Can a library book indoctrinate a child?

- How can a little library be an "embassy to the world"?

- How does reading books where there are characters who are different to you affect you? Does reading about a different character make you the same as them?

- why do some people what books banned?

- "Books don't make people gay. Books do provide understanding, teach tolerance and love of differences." do you agree? How would you build on, agree or disagree with that statement? Can you think of any examples?

- "when you try to ban books that are different from your view of the world, what you’re doing is siloing yourself off even more." what does KA Holt mean by this?

- What can we learn from this situation?

- What do we say in our school about books with LGBTQ+ characters or characters with different race? Can you think of any you have read in school? Which are your favourites?

- How can we make sure this situation does not happen in the UK?

- What law in the UK means this situation  would be challenged (The Equality Act 2010 - who is protected in the Equality Act?)

- Which British Values are affected by this story?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Gender stereotypes

 

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mum-left-gobsmacked-gives-birth-25798318?fbclid=IwAR1BXc8soeM2Ykk3RB09NNm3s0PsOORrWWLEj_jsw8vPnp5GKeKAgU3T4BU

Note: I have removed all the names from the original article in this assembly plan 

What do you see in the picture, what is happening? 

When this Mum was pregnant, all the scans showed the baby to be a girl. The family prepared to have a girl. 

How do you think they prepared? 

How do you think having a baby girl is different to having a baby boy? (this is a great question to debate - remind the children that in this discussion there are no right or wrong answers, there are just opinions and ideas; we should listen to the different ideas in the debate and consider our own responses.)

The Mum and her family held a gender reveal party for the baby and spent £200 on pink clothes, pink bows and baby items. The nursery was painted in "girl colours". 

Then, just six weeks before the baby girl was due, doctors realised the baby was actually a boy. Mum and her partner were shocked because they had expected a girl. Mum says, "I spent my whole pregnancy preparing to have a daughter. We'd named her and bought loads of pink baby grows and cute personalised things for her nursery."     

"Luckily most of the big items like the cot and wardrobe were neutral colours."

Mum says she loves her son now; "Our little boy is perfect and I can't imagine it being any other way now."

Mum says she has kept all the pink clothes in case she has a baby girl one day. 

- What is gender?

- what is a gender reveal party, why do people often have a gender reveal party when they are going to have a baby?

- What is a gender stereotype?

- what do gender reveal parties reveal about assumptions and gender stereotypes today even before a baby is born?

- "The nursery was painted in "girl colours". Are there girl colours? 

- What are neutral colours? 

- Who decides whether a colour is neutral? Are there rules about this? 

- "We'd named her and bought loads of pink baby grows and cute personalised things for her nursery."  I wonder if Mum was expecting a boy, how would things have been differently prepared? What does this show us about gender expectations in 2023?  

- If someone bought Leanne a blue baby grow for her daughter, what do you think the reaction would be?

- Do gender stereotypes like this matter? Do they affect children or is it just a bit of celebratory fun for adults that has no lasting effect?

- How might gender stereotypes affect young children as they grow up?

- Mum has kept all the pink clothes in case she has a baby girl one day - what is your message to Mum?

- Some trans people have their own gender reveal parties later in life - why? 

- What can we do in school to challenge gender stereotypes and make sure all children know they can be their authentic selves? (what does that mean?)

- How is this story related to British law/ The Equality act?

- Which British Values are referenced in this story?

- why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com  

Oscars

 

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/actor-james-martin-says-it-doesnt-matter-if-you-have-down-syndrome-following-oscar-win/2102458801.html

https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-03-13/james-martin-from-belfast-barista-to-oscar-star

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michelle-yeoh-best-actress-oscar-win_n_6407b613e4b0c62918df06be

Two awards won at the Oscars last week made history. Do you know how? Can you tell from the images how the Oscar wins made history? These wins were a first for the Oscars.

The images show Michelle Yeoh wining best actress and James Martin wining an Oscar with the cast of the film, "An Irish goodbye" which won best short film. Michelle Yeoh is the first Asian actor to win an Oscar for best actress. She also only the second woman of colour ever to win the award. James is the first actor with Down Syndrome to win an Oscar.

James said, "It doesn't matter if you have Down Syndrome. As long as you do what you do." he says anyone can act, regardless of their disability and wants people to treat those with disabilities like adults and not judge them based on their appearance. James works at Starbucks in Belfast when he's not acting and also works as a chef at an Italian restaurant.

James's Dad said his son never let his Down Syndrome hold him back. When James was born, doctors told his parents that he may never speak. James's Dad said a few years ago someone joked that James might be the next James Bond and James replied, "Don't be stupid, I'm too small to be James Bond... but I've got all the moves!"

In her acceptance speech, Michelle Yeoh said, "For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dream big and dreams do come true. And ladies, don't let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up."

Later Michelle said, "I remember when I first came to Hollywood it was a dream come true- until I got here. Because look at this face. I came here and was told, "You're a minority," She says people were even surprised she spoke English. It has taken Michelle till the age of 60 to win this Oscar. she praises the writer of the film she won with ("Everything Everywhere all at once") because they wrote an elderly Asian woman as the hero character; Michelle asks, "When was the last time you saw an older woman being the super hero?"

-What are The Oscars? Do they matter?

- How long do you think the Oscars have been running? (the first was held in 1929)

- Why do you think in 95 years this is the first time an Asian actor has won best actress?

- Why do you think there has never been a winner with Down Syndrome before?

- what does this show about our history and our present?

- One could argue that skin colour or ability is irrelevant... does it matter that an Asian actress wins? Surely it's about your acting skills, not about your skin colour? (great debate opportunity here; the aim is to get the children to think, if skin doesn't matter, why is Michelle the first in 95 years? Have there never been good Asian actresses before?)

- Of course you can't win a best actress Oscar if you don't appear in a film... why do you think Michelle has received her first Oscar aged 60? Is it because  she wasn't that good before? (or is it because she was never offered a part, or parts for Asian characters never existed...)

"You're a minority," why were people surprised Michelle spoke English? What is this behaviour  and attitude an example of? 

- It is interesting that James Martin, an Oscar wining actor, has to work at Starbucks and as a chef. Why does he have to do this? What does this show about opportunities for him currently ?

- How do you think the world film industry needs to move forward now?

- "It doesn't matter if you have Down Syndrome. As long as you do what you do." Why does James say this?

- "For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities." What does Michelle mean by this?

- "And ladies, don't let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up." What does Michelle mean by this? 

- What can we learn from Michelle and James?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com 

 

International Women's Day

 

  

https://www.footyheadlines.com/2023/03/west-ham-players-wear-special-training-kits-to-support-international-womens-day.html

https://news-tennis.com/news/2023/03/11/michail-antonio-a-star-for-west-ham-reveals-why-he-chose-to-wear-a-serena-williams-shirt/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64835485

West Ham football team chose to mark International Women's Day this week by wearing names of women that have inspired them. Most wore shirts dedicated to their mothers, and Michail Antonio wore a short dedicated to tennis player Serena Williams.

Michail said, "Showing our support for International Women's Day was a terrific idea. I had the option of selecting a number of powerful women but in the end I decided to train with Serena William's name on my shirt. Serena exemplified what is possible when you set your mind to it and have confidence in yourself."

Manchester City also marked International Women's day with a special kit released using the colours of the Suffragettes.  

The Manchester City Women's Team wore the kit, which uses the colours of green, white and purple; the colours of the WSPU (Women's Social and Political Union) 100 years ago. The Men's team also wore the shorts in their walk out and warm up at their game on the Saturday before International Women's Day. 

Manchester City said it "celebrates girls and women in football in Manchester."

- What is International Women's Day?

- Why do you think the West Ham men's team wore shirts that celebrated women?

- Why do you think Michail Antonion chose to honour Serena Williams?

- Who would you choose for your shirt?

- Do we need to have an International Women's Day?

- Why isn't there an International Men's day, why don't the West Han team wear shirts that honour men that have inspired them next week? (there is an International Men's Day every November, started in 1992, the focus is on wellbeing for men and boys. There is also Movember which raises money for men's health services https://inews.co.uk/light-relief/international-mens-day-2023-when-date-what-theme-this-year-2195135?ico=most_popular)

- Manchester City "celebrates girls and women in football in Manchester."; why don't they say they celebrate men and boys in football?

- Who were the Suffragettes?

- Why are the Men's team at Manchester City honouring the Suffragettes?

- The Suffragettes at the time broke the law by protesting about a women's right to vote. Many were imprisoned. Should we be celebrating people who broke the law? 

- What does this show about ideas and laws over time? (They are not fixed - ideas can change)

- What UK law today protects women and who else is protected in the law? (The Equality Act 2010 and 9 protected characteristics: race, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, sex, age, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity)

- What can we learn from the Suffragettes?

- What can we learn from West Ham and Manchester City players?

- Which British Values are covered in this story?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

 

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com 

football

 

    

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/28508/12811528/leah-williamson-england-captain-to-wear-onelove-armband-to-support-czech-republic-international-jakub-jankto

What do you see in the picture? Who are they, what are their jobs, does anyone now what connects them?

The footballer on the left is Jakub Jankto who is a Czech Republic international player. The footballer on the right is Leah Williamson, captain of the women's England team. 

Recently, Jakub came out as gay. He is the most high profile male footballer to come out. Jakub said in a post on social media, "I no longer want to hide myself."

In response, Leah is wearing a rainbow armband in her next match. Leah says, "We're a squad that promotes inclusivity and equality. It's not even a question for us."

"You've just seen another men's player step out and be as brave as they can be and potentially change their whole life. They don't know what's coming so to stand in solidarity with that is important to us."

"We're not just impacting on football, we're trying to have a positive impact on society. We want to eradicate discrimination from the game and this is a positive message to anyone that disagrees that football is a place for everyone."

- what does coming out mean, why do you think is it called that?

- Why do you think Jakub Jankto felt he had to hide himself? Do you think he was tight to hide?

- why do you think there are so few gay footballers that have come out? (Do you think that means there are no gay footballers?

- "You've just seen another men's player step out and be as brave as they can be and potentially change their whole life. They don't know what's coming so to stand in solidarity with that is important to us." Discuss this quote, lots to unpick (solidarity, brave, change their life, don't know what's coming...)
- Why do you think Leah chose to wear an armband, how do you think that choice will impact on Jakub? 

- "We're not just impacting on football, we're trying to have a positive impact on society." Can wearing an armband really have a positive impact on society? How?

- "This is a positive message to anyone that disagrees that football is a place for everyone." how do we know some people disagree football is a place for everyone? (remember the world cup one love armband)

- What can we learn from Jakub?

- How can we make sure people know they don't have to hide themselves, what can we do in school today to make sure this doesn't happen in the future?

- What can we learn from Leah?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

ww.no-outsiders.com