With partners:
Questions for Reflection
1. While reading the following excerpts, consider the following statement and question: ?Teaching a culturally diverse group of students means treating them the same.? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. It seems that when issues arise, such as September 11 or the Bali bombing, people?s attention is drawn to the ?problem? of difference. At these times, stereotypes are implanted or reaffirmed, and Australia?s ethnic diversity, which the Prime Minister calls ?one of the enduring strengths of our nation?, suddenly seems quite fragile. How can students? remain focussed on the successes and strengths of diversity, and resist the temptation to stigmatise difference during such volatile events?
3. Using Harmony Day as inspiration, ask students: if you were to design a Harmony Day program that would help people understand more about YOU, what would you want people to know about yourself and your family, your religion and culture, your country of origin (etcetera) in order to help them understand you better?
To explore these questions work through the four steps.