‘Celebrating diversity and recognising similarities’
I am You is a Street Law project whereby Queen Mary undergraduate Law students work in groups to deliver bespoke interactive workshops to Year 5 or 6 classes. These free workshops are based around the protected characteristics within the Equality Act 2010. Our students lead sessions that encourage the school children to question their own views and preconceptions. The sessions deliver relevant and meaningful content through games and interactive activities. The project will promote and celebrate diversity, and recognise similarities within seemingly different groups in society.
The workshop consists of four, one hour sessions, which will run consecutively across four weeks. The sessions cover the following for concepts.
Lesson one focusses on what makes students special, and explores the Equality Acti 2010 and protected characteristics, as well as associated equality issues. It teaches students that we can all have unique identities but no one of us is better than the other. We ask the children to pick out what they think makes others special as well as exploring who they are.
Lesson two incorporates the ideas of discrimination and stereotypes, how they are wrong and how we can challenge our own preconceptions. In this session we will explore the different protected characteristics and discuss how members of a community that share a certain characteristic can be discriminated against and how this can make them feel. We use examples to show that the very thing people may discriminate against, could be what makes them special. For example, using clips of Dumbo or learning about brilliant Paralympian's and their achievements. The session also explores the gender pay gap, and asks the students to question the concept of 'boys' vs 'girls' jobs, by emphasising that anyone can be successful in a variety of roles, and that the same work should result in the same pay, no matter who does it. This task always generates reaction and discussions.
The third session focusses on community and the different types of communities that students belong to. It encourages students to consider the different members of our communities and society in general. We discuss why this is important and why difference is not a bad thing. We also look at how to make the community more accepting and compassionate.
The final session brings together the topics discussed over the last three sessions, with quizzes to consolidate the learning the students have undertaken. The students also complete an exercise looking forward to their futures, through writing a letter or poem to their future selves, considering what kind of person they may become in the next few years.
Designing and delivering workshops to primary school children as a part of the I am You Project has been an invaluable experience. This initiative has not only significantly enhanced my confidence, teamwork, and leadership abilities but has also been immensely fulfilling.
Student Facilitator
… it gave me the opportunity to participate in something meaningful.
The student team were professional in their delivery and gave clear explanations for the children to understand. They ensured that the workshops were also interactive and enjoyable for the children.
Year 5 Teacher
[The workshop] met with our values of celebrating difference, kindness and community.
All Queen Mary University of London undergraduate law students participating on this project will have an up to date DBS check and will be supervised at all times by the Legal Advice Centre Project Coordinator (also DBS checked).
Book a series of free workshops
Our undergraduate Law students have created an online pack of a series of I am You workshops as a downloadable resource: Lesson plans for primary school students