Racism. No Way - Anti-racism education for Australian schools

2.7: A grandparent’s tale

Lesson overview

Theme:Being comfortable with difference
Age Group:Year 2
Learning Area:History
Outcomes:HT1-1

Content descriptor

Students compare and contrast daily life with that of parents or grandparents at the same age through stories or photographs and pose questions to ask parents/grandparents.

Teachers notes

  1. This activity should be conducted over at least two sessions.
  2. Teachers may choose to invite only one or two guest speakers or organise a larger event such as a morning tea to which all grandparents (and others) are invited.
  3. It may be helpful to provide guests with the list of the possible questions created by the class beforehand.
  4. Teachers should ensure that invited guests reflect the diversity of the classroom and/or local community.
  5. In classes or communities with Aboriginal students, it may be appropriate to invite community elders to address the class.

Resources

A4 paper, butcher’s paper and pencils or pens

Activity

  1. Introduce this activity by explaining that our families help to shape who we are as individuals, influencing the development of our personalities and contributing to our views of the world. Family values and traditions are handed down by our ancestors and we adapt them over time to suit our own way of life.
  2. To illustrate the contribution of families, invite students’ grandparents or other older members of the community to come into the class and share stories about “When they were young”. Topics could include social life, technology, transport, food, sport, fashion. Grandparents could be encouraged to bring in small items of significance from their past to show and tell. E.g. photos, medallions, items of clothing, novelty toys, ornaments or games popular in the past.
  3. Before the event, ask the class to brainstorm a list of appropriate questions that they may ask their guests and encourage students to ask these questions on the day. Summarise the questions on the board or on butcher’s paper. Ask students to copy down questions and keep.
  4. After the event, ask students to write down the three things that the guest speaker/s shared that they thought were the most important. As a class, discuss what the students learnt from the experience.