• Target Keystage(s): Key Stage 3,
• Curriculum Subject(s): Citizenship, English, History,
• Who Do We Think We Are Theme(s): Britishness, national identity/values & 2012 Games, History/Settlement, Relationships, belonging and faith, School & Community,

Above: Photograph of a Notting Hill Carnival participant.

This Key Stage 3, cross curricular unit of study about Identity and Diversity was written by Shango Baku, Artistic Director, CETTIE (Cultural Exchange Through Theatre-in-Education). The unit comprises six lessons which provide opportunities for young people to explore aspects of identity, diversity, heritage, faith and citizenship through drama, role play and discussion.

A particular feature of this CETTIE module is to present dramatised excerpts from plays about Black British achievers to inform and stimulate role play and debate. Each of the role models/achievers portrayed are figures who have contributed significantly to national and international life and their biographies provide a catalyst for debate about challenging racism and discrimination at personal, local, national and global scales.

The key learning objectives for young people are:

• To use different dramatic approaches and techniques to explore concepts such as identity, belonging, equality and trust
• To appreciate that identities are complex and can change over time
• To use the biographical information about the lives of key figures from Black British history to explore the historical context to Britain's multicultural society
• To explore the historical context to slavery and racism and compare and contrast these to modern day forms of racism and human rights abuses through drama performances and group discussion
• To use a variety of information sources about the history and development of the Notting Hill Carnival to explore the question, What is ‘Britishness'?
• To use a variety of historical sources to explore, reflect on, consider and evaluate how issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics impact on individuals, families, communities and cultures
• To investigate the meaning of ‘citizenship.'

Some of the key questions covered over the course of the 6 lessons are as follows:

• What's in a name?
• How do I define myself?
• Who do I respect and why?
• What do I contribute to my home, school, community, society?
• What is ‘Britishness'?
• What do I believe?
• What do I believe in?
• What is citizenship?
• What does being British mean to me?

To read the module overview and download the six lesson plans please select the links to the attachments shown below:

• http://www.wdwtwa.org.uk/files/WDWTWA-KS3-Module-Identity-and-Diversity.pdf
  
• http://www.wdwtwa.org.uk/files/Identity-and-Diversity-KS3-Module-Lesson-Plans.pdf

For further information about booking CETTIE to deliver this module of study, facilitate selected workshops and/or run performances please contact:

Cultural Exchange through Theatre-in-Education (CETTIE)
c/o 58A Canonbury Road, London N1 2DQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7226 4016
Email: cettieone@hotmail.com

Copies of CETTIE teaching and learning materials can also be ordered via the above-mentioned contact details.

To read the CETTIE statement about Who Do We Think We Are? please select the following link to the Cultural Exchange Through Theatre-in-Education news item.