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Lesson ideas

Let's look at groups

Students will identify the many groups to which they belong and consider how groups are formed, group dynamics and how group rules influence individual choice. Students will develop strategies that might influence their groups.

We are all members of many groups and subgroups. Some groups we choose to belong to and some are chosen for us. Understanding group affiliations and influence helps us understand our individual, community and national identities.

Post-it notes, handouts

1. Groups

• Brainstorm 'groups' that students might belong to. (gender, age, language spoken, ethnic background, community, place of birth, sports, hobbies, clubs, schools, classes, only children, favourite food, star sign etc)
• Distribute post-it notes.
• Students write their name and the name of each group they belong to on a separate post-it note.
• One student names one group he/she belongs to and puts the label on the board.
• Other students with the same or similar groups add their post-its to the one on the board.
• Continue until all post-its have been grouped.
• Highlight that students may have some groups in common but may also belong to other very diverse groups.

• What are the different things that members of a group may have in common?
• Could any student join any of these groups? Why/ why not?
• Some groups are groups of choice and some are not. Sort the post-its into two categories 'groups I choose to belong to' and 'groups I belong to without choice'.
• Distribute Handout 1.
• Students list their individual groups into the two categories on the handout.

• Distribute Handout 2.
• Students pick one group from their "choice" list and one from their "no choice" list and note their thoughts on the handout.
  1. What are some of the differences between the two groups you have chosen?
  2. Why are you a member?
  3. Does the group have rules? What are they?
  4. Are the rules written or unwritten?
  5. Who makes the rules?
  6. What happens if you break them?
  7. Can you influence these rules? If no, why not? If yes, how?

Affiliations
Class discussion

1. Consider the FIFA World Cup competition.
   Which team do/did you support at the beginning of the competition? Why?
   If that team is knocked out which team do you support? Why?
2. What other sports teams do you support? Why?
3. When Australia plays another country do you always support Australia?
   Under what circumstances do you support/ not support Australia?
4. What considerations determine your support?