racismnoway

Lesson ideas

View by learning area | View by theme | View by age

Racism. No way! Cultural Diversity Mini Webquest

Theme: Cultural diversity and multiculturalism - Migration and refugees
Key Learning Area: English - Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) - Technology
Age Group: Primary Upper (10-12) - Secondary Lower (13-14) - Secondary Middle (15-16) Resource Type: Audio-visual Stimulus Name: Racism. No way!

Outcomes

Students research Australia's development as a multicultural nation and evaluate the contributions made by individuals and cultural groups.

Introduction

Today, as always in Australia, there is a great national debate on the subject of multiculturalism. In this project students will be exploring this site to discover the actual statistics, the history of migration, some real stories of immigrants today and the contributions of individuals and communities to the development of Australia as a multicultural society.
All students require computer access.

Worksheets to download
Group task and Process (rtf File)
Roles and Individual tasks (rtf File)

Suggested Activities

Download:
Group task and Process
Roles and Individual tasks

As a class:

1. Brainstorm and define cultural diversity.
   N.B. When defining cultural diversity ensure the inclusion of the Anglo-Celts.
2. Explain to the class that they will be divided into teams which are part of a delegation to the United Nations. They will each be given a role and tasks to complete. As a team they will compile a report on how cultural diversity has shaped and benefited the development of Australia as a multicultural nation. One member of the team will be elected to present the report to the United Nations.
3. Divide class into groups of five and give each group a copy of the Group task and process and the Roles and Individual tasks.

In groups:

1. Brainstorm:
   Australia's cultural diversity.
2. The task
   Compile a report on how cultural diversity has shaped and benefited the development of Australia as a multicultural nation.
3. The process
   Allot a role to each group member. Using the Racism. No way! web section address provided, find the answers to each question on the Roles handout.
4. The report
   The specialist chairs a meeting of the group. The historian, statistician, journalist and sociologist present their findings. The group jointly constructs a report which should include the summaries of each member. The group elects a delegate to present their report.
5. The presentation
   The elected presenter addresses the class or school assembly.

Conclusion
Australia has always been culturally diverse. The early Indigenous communities, the First Fleet and later settlers, migrants and refugees have shared a wealth of cultural heritages which have shaped and benefited the development of the Australian nation.