KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 7–11
Time required: one 45–60 minute session
Equipment: activity guides, cups/building blocks.


ACTIVITY IDEA

These activities can be completed in large or small groups in the classroom or at home. The Build a Tower activity will work best with at least 4 participants (2 pairs), but could be completed individually. 

This lesson allows pupils to understand and explore the Paralympic Value of equality. By incorporating examples of equality into active learning, the ideas below allow pupils to build and expand on their understanding of the definition of equality through first-hand experience.

Definitions

Equality

  • Equality is making sure that individuals, or groups of individuals, are not treated differently or less favourably, on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age.” (University of Edinburgh)
  • Paralympic Sport acts as an agent for change to break down social barriers of discrimination for persons with an impairment. (International Paralympic Committee)

Part 1

  1. Get the group into smaller groups of 4–6 using the Very Happy Caterpillar activity guide. Explain that this activity will help them to consider what actions we can take to create equality.
  2. Run the caterpillar race once. Using the prompts in the activity guide, ask each group to review the activity briefly to consider equality. As an example, share how the group-sorting activity aimed to make teams as equal as possible (in terms of height).
  3. Following the review, ask each group to make the journey again. What will they do differently this time to improve equality and make their caterpillar better for everyone?
  4. Celebrate and reinforce their adaptations. For example, these might include:
    1. adjusting their speed/ strides/ jumps
    2. adapting their body positions
    3. changing the order of team members
    4. communicating and encouraging each other more.
  5. Alternatively, instead of a race, create one whole group caterpillar and see if it can beat its time on the second go – as well as being a more equal experience for everyone.

Part 2

  1. Gather the group and use the Basics of Equality activity guide to gauge their baseline understanding of equality.
  2. Once the group have a basic awareness, get them into their pairs ready to play Build a Tower (see activity guide). Encourage the group to reflect on how equality or inequality can impact on the game they are playing.  

Part 3

  1. Cut out and hand out the Equality Scenario Cards for groups to discuss (see Equality Scenarios activity cards). Pupils should discuss what the inequality is in the scenario, it’s impact, and how they could change it, considering the Value of equality, to ensure a positive impact. 
  2. Gather the groups together and review the equality cards. Reinforce the meaning and importance of equality, and help pupils connect their scenarios to the definition they discussed of equality during the baseline task.

Key learnings

Equality is making sure that individuals, or groups of individuals, are not treated differently or less favourably, on the basis of characteristics such as race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. Upholding the Paralympic Value of equality ensures a level playing field and equal opportunities for people to take part in and enjoy a range of activities.

EXTENSION

  • In smaller groups, give each group a blank scenario card. Get them to think of a time when equality has had a positive impact on a game played in the playground, or another scenario. Some pupils may want to use the scenario cards, further exploring the positive solution they discussed to the inequality shown.
  • Each team should discuss their positive scenario together and draw a new scenario card showing their example of equality in action.
  • After each group has completed a scenario card, get them to present this back to the groups.