Elmo

 

Elmo asked people on X how they were doing and hit a nerve - Upworthy

Last week, Elmo asked adults on X (twitter) how they were doing and tens of thousands of people replied. The simple question has sparked discussions all over the world about mental health and well being.

The tweet read, “Elmo is checking in, how is everybody doing?” and many people replied expressing their worries and their feelings. Some people write that they were ‘kinda sad’.

Elmo replied to the thousands of people; “Wow! Elmo is glad he asked. Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends. Elmo loves you! #emotionalwellbeing”

Other characters from Sesame St joined in the conversation, posting messages for people who needed help:

Bert: “I’m here if you ever need a shoulder to lean on. I’ll make us both a warm cup of tea.”

Ernie: “If you need some cheering up, let me know. I love making others smile!”

Cookie Monster: “Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies.”

Grover: “I, Grover, am here to be a good listener whenever you need it.”

Oscar the Grouch: “I’m not great at listening to others share their big feelings but my worm Slimy is. You should talk to him if you ever ned a chat.”

US President Jo Biden agreed: “Our friend Elmo is right..”

“I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbour in need and above all else, ask for help when we need it. Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone.”

-        Is this story silly?

-        What does this story show about people around the world?

-        Why don’t many people talk about feeling sad?

-        Can you always tell if someone is sad?

-        Which of the replies from the other Sesame St characters do you think is most effective?

-        What would you say to help someone who needed emotional support?

-        Do you always have to have answers?

-        What does President Joe Biden mean by “sweep the clouds away”?

-        When was the last time you checked in with someone? (what does check in mean?)

What can we learn from this story?

Why is it about No Outsiders? 

No Outsides: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com  

Names

 

https://scoop.upworthy.com/mom-stands-up-to-high-school-teacher-who-wouldnt-call-her-daughter-by-her-proper-name-647227-647227?fbclid=IwAR2hFLy6hPrNKSs8FEbsV3ig01Zq3YnqA5oBcKsr5YVrv2yzqUuKQpFZMNo

What do you see in the picture? What do you think this story is about?

Children might think this is about gender and names, pink and blue stereotypes, which might be an interesting route to go down if it is brought up, but that is not what this story is about.

This story is about a 14 year old girl called Alexandra. All through her life, people have tried shortening her name to Alex or Lexi, and she really doesn't like that. She wants to be called by her name, which is Alexandra.

You could argue, why does it matter? Is Alexandra making a fuss over nothing? Isn't this just an example of people being friendly? What do you think?

When starting secondary school, Alexandra was taught Spanish and the teacher told the class that she would be  using the Spanish pronunciation for each of the students' names. So Alexandra would be called Alejandra.

Is this ok? Isn't the teacher just trying to immerse the class in Spanish language? It's only for this lesson. What are the arguments for and against this? 

Alexandra asked to be called by the name she prefered, but the teacher refused. The teacher argued that if the pupils were in a Spanish speaking country, they would be called names using Spanish pronunciation. 

Alexandra argued, if she went to a foreign country her her name was Anthony and people called her Antonio, she would say, "No, it's Anthony" and people would respect that.

Who is right here? Is there a right and wrong? What solution do you suggest?

A debate ensued on social media and someone said, "I live in an area with lots of Mexican immigrants. if someone tells me their name is Pedro or Juan, the last thing I would ever think of doing is calling them Peter or John."

What do you think happened?

In the end, the teacher changed their mind and Alexandra remained as Alexandra during Spanish lessons.

- This story is about one Spanish lesson and a decision about names. But is there a wider discussion here? What is this story actually about?

- Who gets to decide what name you use?

- Are there other examples where different names might be used or preferred?

- If you find a name hard to pronounce, is it ok just to shorten it? What should you do?

- What do we say in our school about names?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

- Which British Value is this about?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Holocaust Memorial assembly

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/landmarks-illuminated-purple-to-mark-holocaust-memorial-day/ar-BB1hmdU0

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-68111782

What do you see? What is happening in these photos? Do you recognise the building? 

This is Durham cathedral, why was it lit in purple lights on Saturday night?

On Saturday evening, across the UK, many public buildings including the London Eye and Blackpool Tower were lit in purple lights to mark Holocaust Memorial day.

The top photo shows Holocaust survivor Joan Salter lighting a candle.

What is Holocaust Memorial about?

Holocaust Memorial day happens every year to remember those killed by the Nazis in concentration camps in World War Two. 6 million Jewish, Roma, LGBT and disabled people died. The Nazis also killed people who disagreed with them and argued against them. 

January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitch- Birkenau the largest Nazi death camp.

This year the theme is "The fragility of freedom" What does that mean?

There was recognition from the chief executive of Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock,  that this year Holocaust Memorial Day is difficult because of the conflict in Israel. There are many people who hold different views about what is happening today. Karen says, "It's a difficult time, but that doesn't stop us from coming together and recognising what was a seismic event in history whose repercussions are still felt today."

Can we come together if we hold different views? 

Can we join together to remember events in history if we disagree about events happening today?

Holocaust survivor Stephen Breuer attended an event in Bristol to remember those who died. He said, "Whenever you see an opportunity of opposing oppression or discrimination, please do it, please try."

What does Stephen mean by this? 

Marian Liebmann is the chairwoman of the Bristol Holocaust Memorial Day steering group and she says, "Anything I can do to make this word a better place, where people are welcomed, whoever they are, then I would like to do that."

Here is a link to a previous assembly I have done to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, about a primary school Jewish girl who was chosen by her school to give flowers to Hitler on a parade in 1933.

https://no-outsiders-assembly.blogspot.com/2019/01/holocaust-memorial.html

What do we say at our school about difference and diversity?

What do we say about holding different beliefs? 

We say it is possible to recognise opposing views; we can still have respect for one another if we disagree on ideas. We can debate and and we may disagree but we can still get along and our ideas can co-exist. The important thing is to remember that at our school, everyone is welcome there are no outsiders here whoever they are and wherever they are from. Everybody belongs here. 

No Outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com 

Race

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/female-track-star-race-man-tiktok-b2472211.html?fbclid=IwAR38ZTvM0YZqDGHxRtyT-YHGvHldWJSDZjfgr-gTrZgiPQyKu1V5tJnbiVQ

What do you see in the picture, what do you think this story is about? 

Alahna Sabbakhan is student at the University of Virginia, USA, and she a track and field athlete. A  video of her running 400m as part of her workout has gone viral because her boyfriend has a friend who challenged her.

What do you think the challenge was?

The man refused to believe a woman could beat him in a race and he challenged Alahna to prove this. He even brought his family and friends along to watch him beat her in a race.

Why would he do this? 

How would you describe this man's behaviour and attitude?

What would you say to him if he asked you to come and watch him beat Alahna in a race?

Alahna says, "Just to clarify, I did NOT want to race this man. I was already at the track doing my workout and he came to join."

The man was saying, "Yeah, I could beat her in the 400," Alahna says he didn't realise the 400 is one of the hardest track events.

Why do you think it's hard?

What do you think Alahna said when he challenged her?

Alahna invited the man to just join her for a workout, but the man insisted they race.

Why did she invite him to join her in a workout rather than race?  

You can watch the race in a link above. What do you think happened?

Alahna kept level with the man for the first 200m but for the second half she sprinted ahead and finished with a huge gap between them. 

After the race, the man accepted defeat and said, "That was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

Alahna says, "I feel like it was a really good learning experience. It showed people that they need to stop underestimating us - track athletes, female athletes."

The video has been viewed over 10million times. 

Why do you think the video went viral?

What do you think of Alahna's behaviour in the story? Why didn't she lose her temper?

It showed people that they need to stop underestimating us - what does that mean?

What can we learn from this story?

Why is it about no outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

No Outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Bridesmaids

 

https://scoop.upworthy.com/bride-praised-for-giving-fiances-tomboy-niece-the-option-of-not-wearing-a-dress-to-her-wedding-587618-587618-587618?fbclid=IwAR3uJAjHauc_cCxsv0fXXn50rj1JrGkcpi9IJD1UkWfGr4HQVJUBwlrbsBY

What do you se in the photo? What are these people doing, were are they going, what job to they have?

This is a picture of bridesmaids at a wedding.

What are bridesmaids? Are there rules / customs about being a bridesmaid? Who chooses what bridesmaids wear? How are bridesmaids impacted by gender stereotypes (what is a gender stereotype?)

A story went viral recently about a bride and the dresses she chose for the bridesmaids at her wedding.

A bride wanted her niece to feel included at the wedding so asked her to be a bridesmaid. She also thought it wood be a good way to get to know her niece better. When she met her niece, the niece was dressed in an androgynous way (what does androgynous mean?) and the bride could see her niece was getting very uncomfortable in the discussion about dresses.

The bride realised her niece did not usually wear dresses. The nieces mum and grandma were at the meeting and said it would be nice to see the girl more feminine (what does this mean?) Mum said, "It will be nice to see you dressed as a girl for once!"

Why did mum say that? How does a girl dress? How is mum feeling here?

How do you think that comment made her daughter feel?

The bride says the comment made the niece look really embarrassed (why was she embarrassed?)

When she head that comment, the bride decided to change her plan for the bridesmaids. What do you think she said next to Mum and the niece?

The bride said she had given all her bridesmaids the option of wearing whatever they liked, as long as they stayed within the wedding colours. 

Why did she suddenly say that? How do you think this announcement made the niece feel?

The bride pulled out her phone and showed the niece pictures of suits and trousers and said she could even wear jeans and trainers if she felt more comfortable. She said, "It's a wedding, not a fashion show."

What do you think mum said?

Mum told the bride that at a wedding, all the bridesmaids should wear the same thing and her daughter should wear a dress. The bride said no, but later, she did then ask the internet if she was right in her decision to do this.

Many people praised the bride for standing up for her niece. One commented if she made the niece wear something she was not comfortable in, she would not enjoy being a bridesmaid and this would affect the bride's happiness knowing that one of her brides was unhappy. 

How would you respond to the bride's question?

One argument could be that roles at a wedding are traditional and should be kept the same including what people wear - what do you think?

 

What can we learn from the bride in this story?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this story about?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Hair

 

https://www.upworthy.com/preschooler-has-a-perfect-response-to-a-boy-who-called-her-hair-crazy

Leila Danai is three years old and goes to nursery school. She is one of the only back children in the school and her beautiful afro-textured hair is different to the hair on most other children. A video of Leila talking to her mum about her day at school has gone viral. You can watch the video in the link above. 

What do you think Leila talks about in the video? Are there any clues?

Leila tells her mum about a boy in her class who was rude about her hair. The boy said he didn't like Leila's hair and told her it was "crazy".

How do you think Leila responded? 

How would you respond if you were Leila?

How would you respond if you overheard the boy saying that to Leila?

Leila said, "I like it!"

She then said, "My Mommy made it. And if you don't like it, I'll keep it for myself!"

Leila then showed the boy her beautiful smile.

Why do you think Leila aid that?

Why didn't Leila get upset?

Why did Leila smile at the boy?

How do you think Mum felt about Leila's story? 

How do you think Mum responded to Leila's story? 

Mum told Leila she was proud of her and said, "You stood up for yourself, that's what matters. What matters is that you like it - it's your hair."

We don't know if Mum told Leila's teacher or complained to the school. Should she do that? Do you think the boy's behaviour was racist? Should the teacher follow this up with the boy? What would be the best way to do that? Perhaps Leila handled it sufficiently on hr own and there is no need for a follow up? What do you think?

People commented, "We should all have this type of self esteem!"

What does self esteem mean?

What can we learn from Leila in this story?

What do we say at our school about different hair? How else are we different at our school?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

www.no-outsiders.com

No Outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

Embankment station

 

https://secretldn.com/mind-the-gap-embankment-station/?fbclid=IwAR30gdsWyENmcHmKsPjt2_fXbwe5D_L9DTUHJjvx6Na8v-BtLy_tsjx69eI

Visitors to London Underground stations hear a friendly warning every time a train arrives; "Mind the gap!" which reminds people to step over the gap between the train and the platform. One morning at Embankment station an elderly woman approached a guard to ask why the voice making the announcement over the loudspeaker had changed. The guard told her that all the announcements across the London Underground had been updated so the old voice had been replaced.

The woman was a GP, Dr Margaret McCollum. She told the guard that the old voice was her husband; an actor called Oswald Lawrence who never became famous but had recorded "Mind the gap!" for all the London underground stations in the 1970s. Oswald died in 2007 and Margaret missed him very much; she felt alone but every day on her way to work at Embankment station she could hear Oswald's voice. Sometimes she would wait on the platform a little longer just to hear his voice every time a train in.

The staff at Embankment station listened to her story and said they would try and find the old recordings, but they knew it would be impossible as the whole system had been erased. Margaret knew that she would not hear Oswald again.

The following year, Margaret was sitting on the station on her way to work when a train arrived and the announcement came over the loudspeaker; "Mind the gap!". Margaret couldn't believe what she heard; it was Oswald speaking!

Many people at Embankment station felt empathy with Margaret; they too had lost loved ones and knew how it felt to feel alone. They wanted to help, so an operation had begun to restore Oswald's announcement. And that is why today if you travel on the underground you will hear a digitalised voice warning you about the gap at every other station, but at Embankment station you will hear only one human voice, a booming male voice saying, "Mind the gap!" and it's Oswald.

What do you see in the picture?
where is it?
What do people hear while standing at the station?

explain the story

- How do you think Margaret felt when she heard Oswald's voice every morning?
- He was only saying three words; she couldn't hold a conversation, so why do you think she would sometimes wait on the station to hear him again and again?
-  How did Margaret feel the first time the announcement was a different voice?
- The guard was probably very busy, why do you think he stopped and listened to her story?
- Oswald's recording had been erased, why do you think staff spent so long trying to restore it? Why didn't they just say, "sorry, it's a different voice now."
- what does empathy mean?
- how do you think Margaret felt when she heard Oswald again?
- this story has gone viral; why do you think that is? What does that show about people around the world today?
- Why is this story about no outsiders? (Margaret felt like an outsider, but the staff worked together to make sure she felt welcome and loved)
- what can we learn from the staff at Embankment station?

There's a short film here telling this story with the real Margaret interviewed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXabUG1yQQ

Merry Christmas everyone!

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsuders.com