Anti-Racism and Racial Equity

It is important to be aware and appreciate that children notice differences between people, and to guide conversations with children to help them understand, accept, and acknowledge differences within society. This is also a way to cultivate empathy by teaching children to see themselves in other children who are unlike them, and encouraging friendships of different backgrounds by helping children see similarities, while simultaneously accepting their differences.

Teacher instructions

Distribute the student worksheet (PDF) with a series of children’s photographs. Ask them to describe similarities and differences.

1. What is similar?
   • Prompt: Do they look the same? Are they wearing similar clothes? Are they the same height? Hair colour? Glasses? Eye colour? Do they all have the same smile?
   • Allow students to share what makes us alike.
   • Prompt: Is there something students also share (hair colour/texture/skin tone) or like about the pictures?
2. What is different?
   • Prompt: Do they look different? What separates them? Who has straight hair? Whose hair is curly?
   • Allow students to share what makes us different.
3. How did you feel when we talked about what makes us alike? How did it feel when we talked about the differences?

This activity helps children acknowledge how alike we are, yet we can be different, but that we all matter, and we are all important.

Ask children how can we celebrate these differences?

Would they like to pick a day in the school week, where they can celebrate these differences? (e.g. draw pictures they can put up on a wall, or have everyone show up dressed in their favourite colour, etc.)

Making Space: Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice Throughout the K-12 Curriculum (British Columbia resource)

Topic: Diversity and social justice

This lesson (sample lesson plan on page 26) discusses diversity and social justice. It is designed to help students appreciate and respect the differences that exist in a classroom.

Review the lesson plan activity on page 21 and page 26 of the PDF document for more information and instructions, including materials needed.

Reflection questions

1. What makes your friend special and unique?
2. Do you and the person close to you like the same things?
3. Can you be kind to people that are different from you? How?

Source: BC Ministry of Education. (2008). Making Space: Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice Throughout the K-12 Curriculum. Diversity and Social Justice. Retrieved from https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/making_space/makingSpace_full.pdf.

Learn. Disrupt. Rebuild. @HWDSB (Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board) (Ontario resource)

Topic: Fairness and unfairness

The objective of this lesson is to help students understand and distinguish between fairness and unfairness, in the context of the classroom and beyond. They will examine different situations and identify instances of unfairness and fairness.

Review the lesson plan activity for more information and instructions.

Reflection questions

1. Are there any groups of people in your community that are not treated fairly?
   • Possible answers: Newcomers, any member of the racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, etc.
2. How would you feel if someone treated you unfairly or differently because of how you look or where you are from?
3. How can we use our words and actions to promote fairness among our friends and classmates?
4. How can we ensure everyone is treated fairly?

Source: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. (2021). Learn. Disrupt. Rebuild. @HWDSB. Understanding Fairness. Retrieved from https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/equity/learn-disrupt-rebuild-hwdsb/.

Racism in Canada (Elementary), SurreySchoolsONE (British Columbia resource)

Topic: Differences between racism, discrimination, and bullying

The purpose of these four lessons is to equip students with a thorough understanding of the distinctions between racism, discrimination, and bullying. These lessons serve as foundations that will enable students to learn about such topics as racism, the importance of understanding lived experiences and Black history in Canada. These lessons are in a series and should be taught in the same sequence. The lessons aim to educate students on the definition of racism and how discrimination can manifest itself, while simultaneously raising awareness of past and present racism towards Black people in Canada. Ultimately, these lessons seek to empower students to develop personalized action plans to prevent the spread of racism.

Review the lesson plan activity for more information and instructions, including materials needed.

Reflection questions

1. Have you witnessed or experienced racism, discrimination, or bullying? How did it make you feel?
2. Can you think of any historical event or figure who fought racism and discrimination? How do their stories inspire you?
3. How can we provide support (be allies) for those experiencing racism, discrimination, or bullying, based on their skin colour?
4. Why is it important to speak out or report instances of racism, discrimination, or bullying?

Source: SurreySchoolsONE. Antiracism Lesson – Racism in Canada (Elementary). Retrieved from https://surreyschoolsone.ca/resources/antiracism-lesson—racism-in-canada.

Learn. Disrupt. Rebuild. @HWDSB (Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board) (Ontario resource)

Topic: Allyship

The objectives of this lesson are to help students understand the importance of acting in ways that confront and disrupt racism and help them serve as an ally to empower everyone to advocate against racism. By the end of the lesson, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to stand against racism and be advocates for positive change in their communities and beyond.

Review the lesson plan activity for more information and instructions, including materials needed.

Reflection questions

The questions are available within the lesson plan.

Source: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. (2021). Learn. Disrupt. Rebuild. @HWDSB. Anti-racist Allyship. Retrieved from https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/equity/learn-disrupt-rebuild-hwdsb/.

Media Smarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy (Canadian resource)

Topic: Privilege

In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of privilege. Through the lens of media, students will be able to understand the concept of “privilege” and be given the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences related to privilege.

Review the lesson plan activity for more information and instructions, including materials needed.

Reflection questions

1. Do you think everyone experiences life the same way, or do some people have certain advantages or privileges?
2. Before now, have you ever thought of the concept of privilege and what it means to you?
3. Why is it important to recognize and understand our own privileges?
4. How can we be mindful of our privileges and avoid taking advantage of them?
5. What are some ways we can use our privileges to help others who may not have the same advantages?

Source: Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. (2021). Media Smarts. Unpacking Privilege. Retrieved from https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/unpacking-privilege.

Making Space: Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice Throughout the K–12 Curriculum (British Columbia resource)

Topic: Diversity and social justice

This lesson discusses diversity and social justice. It helps students appreciate and respect the differences that exist in a classroom. In addition, students will identify some preconceptions and will be introduced to the concept of “oppression”. By the end of the lesson, they will be able to differentiate between bullying (incidental, occurring among peers) and oppression (systemic, perpetrated by people in authority, often to protect institutionalized power and privilege).

Review the lesson plan activity on page 33 of the PDF document for more information and instructions, including materials needed.

Reflection questions

1. How can you support someone who is being bullied?
2. How can your words and actions make a difference in making others feel safe, respected, and included?

Source: BC Ministry of Education. (2008). Making Space: Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice Throughout the K–12 Curriculum. The Giver. Retrieved from https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/making_space/makingSpace_full.pdf.