Appreciating Diversity
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/5/4/28542037/688194742.jpg?305)
At primary school you may have already noticed that the students in your class and school come from many different cultures and social backgrounds. As you transition from primary school to high school it is important to understand that everyone will have their own ideas, beliefs, values and opinions. Sometimes you may not always agree with another person but it is important that you respect their point of view. Working through this page will provide you with skills and strategies to appreciate the diverse values and attitudes of different groups within society.
Activity 1: Use the web to search for definitions for the following keywords and phrases. You may use the links below to help you. Write down a definition/ description for each in your own words:
Activity 1: Use the web to search for definitions for the following keywords and phrases. You may use the links below to help you. Write down a definition/ description for each in your own words:
- Diversity
- Culture
- Values and beliefs
- Opinion
- Point of view
- Racism
- Sexism
- Prejudice
Young Australians from different cultures
Young people from different cultures may feel isolated because of a difference between language, lack of social acceptance and limited understanding of Australian culture. Many young people from different cultures want to fit in with the Australian lifestyles but they also want to maintain their own culture and traditions (Selvamanickam, Zgryza, & Gorman, 2001).
Activity 2: Have you ever felt isolated from other people before? If yes, why did you feel this way? If no, how do you think an isolated person may feel? Write down your response.
Activity 3: Write down things that make you feel included and accepted by others.
Activity 4: Write down ways that you could help others feel accepted keeping in mind their culture, background, beliefs, ideas and their points of view.
Activity 2: Have you ever felt isolated from other people before? If yes, why did you feel this way? If no, how do you think an isolated person may feel? Write down your response.
Activity 3: Write down things that make you feel included and accepted by others.
Activity 4: Write down ways that you could help others feel accepted keeping in mind their culture, background, beliefs, ideas and their points of view.
Different Opinions
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/5/4/28542037/581920398.jpg)
As you transition to high school you will continue to develop your own values, attitudes, beliefs and perspectives about different topics based on your own personal experiences and background. However it is important to remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and you should respect their opinion even though you may not agree with it. A good strategy is to put you in that person's shoes and try to understand why they might have that perspective about something.
Class activity 1:
Four topics have been chosen for debate. Firstly write down your opinion about each topic, explaining your decision. The teacher will split the class into groups and you will then share your opinions with the other members of your group. Record their opinions and reasoning in the appropriate column. Following your teachers instructions decide on whether your opinion about the topic has changed after hearing other people's points of view? Fill in your responses in to the template.
1. Should mobile phones be allowed in schools and for use in class?
2. Should research on animals be allowed for medical discoveries?
3. Should violent video games be banned?
4. Should students wear school uniform?
Class activity 1:
Four topics have been chosen for debate. Firstly write down your opinion about each topic, explaining your decision. The teacher will split the class into groups and you will then share your opinions with the other members of your group. Record their opinions and reasoning in the appropriate column. Following your teachers instructions decide on whether your opinion about the topic has changed after hearing other people's points of view? Fill in your responses in to the template.
1. Should mobile phones be allowed in schools and for use in class?
2. Should research on animals be allowed for medical discoveries?
3. Should violent video games be banned?
4. Should students wear school uniform?
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
debate_topics_template.docx | |
File Size: | 11 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Activity 5: Do you think that it is beneficial for people have different opinions? Why or why not?
Activity 6: How do you think understanding diversity will help you at high school?
Activity 7: Visit the links below and make a collage and/ or a mind map surrounding the topic diversity.
What is diversity? http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=2345
Young Australians Talk: http://www.harmony.gov.au/schools/students/young-australians-talk/
You can try using the following tools to make your collage/ mind map.
Glogster http://edu.glogster.com/
Bubbl.us https://bubbl.us/
Page Developed by Katelyn Carter
Activity 6: How do you think understanding diversity will help you at high school?
Activity 7: Visit the links below and make a collage and/ or a mind map surrounding the topic diversity.
What is diversity? http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=2345
Young Australians Talk: http://www.harmony.gov.au/schools/students/young-australians-talk/
You can try using the following tools to make your collage/ mind map.
Glogster http://edu.glogster.com/
Bubbl.us https://bubbl.us/
Page Developed by Katelyn Carter