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

2.9: Who are you?

Lesson overview

Theme:Understanding prejudice
Age Group:Year 2
Learning Area:English
Outcomes:EN1-1A

Content descriptor

Students interact effectively in groups or pairs, adopting a range of roles.

Teachers notes

Depending on knowledge and experience of students, more time may need to be devoted to defining identity.

Handout

Who are you? [DOC]

Activity

  1. Explain the concept of identity to students explaining that it refers to the way we identify ourselves – by gender, culture, name, family background, job, language, religion, nationality, age group, the sports we play etc.
  2. Ask students to complete the handout: Who are you? [DOC] listing the factors that form part of their identity in three different situations – home, school and in another situation of their choice.
  3. In pairs, ask students to compare the different aspects of their identities in each of the situations. Ask students to consider:
    1. how the factors vary from situation to situation for each individual.
    2. how they vary between individuals.
    3. What the similarities and differences between each other are.
  4. Lead a class discussion on the different factors that may contribute to an individual’s identity and how these factors may change (become less or more significant) in different situations, such as moving towns or countries.
  5. Record the various factors offered by the class on the board or on butcher’s paper.
  6. Conclude by explaining that everyone has their own identity or identities that make them unique.