Cultural TraditionsKS2 @ School based
Lesson Objectives:-
- Children will be given the opportunity to explore differences and similarities between traditions and different communities within Northern Ireland.
- Children will increase their understanding of the two main traditions and other cultures who contribute to life in Northern Ireland.
- Children will gain an understanding of the concept of Identity and will start to think about their own identity.
This programme aims to encourage and help children explore cultural identity in a sensitive way. We will do this by taking part in a series of fun practical activities. Before we learn about culture and what it is, we are going to participate in activities to help us learn about ourselves, people in our group and also the people in other groups to.
“CLUMPS”
Teacher/facilitator requests the children to move around the assembly hall. Whenever a number is called the children have to get themselves into groups of that number. To begin with, they have to ask everyone in their clump what their name is. The game continues and after each clump is formed the children have to find out information about people in their clump such as, favourite colour, favourite food and favourite computer game. The game ends with the teacher calling the desired number so that the children are equally sorted into groups.
“IDENTITY & CULTURE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION”
Speedwell teacher introduces the word Identity to the children and asks the children what it means to them, and the different instances where they have heard the word used. Identity is whatever makes us definable and recognisable – a set of characteristics that distinguishes us from others.(defined as: “who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group which make them different from others”).
Children are introduced to the word Culture and are then shown a brief presentation to aid their understanding of the term.
CULTURE - “A way of expressing our identity using a mixture of ideas, symbols and behaviours” (a group of people with similar identities) e.g. Flags and Symbols, Music & Dance, Food & Drink and Sport.
“FLAGS ACTIVITY”
Each group is given out a flag and are given a couple of minutes to talk to each other about what they know about the flag, what the colours represent, have they heard of this flag on the news etc. Speedwell teacher leads the discussion and fills in any additional information. This activity is finished with the Union Flag being displayed at the front and the children told that it is made up of 3 separate flags. The groups who think they have the flags have to raise their hand.
“MYSTERY OBJECT ACTIVITY”
Speedwell teacher explains to the children that within a community they may see many symbols and objects which represent the people who live there.
Different cultural objects are placed at the front of the hall in a position where all children can see them. Each object has a letter attached to it. Speedwell teacher reads out a statement about a particular object and the children have to decide and record which object the teacher is talking about. This process is continued until all objects are completed.
CRAFT ACTIVITY –
An art activity will be left with the teachers to consolidate the learning from today’s session.