Lesson Plans

• 1 What is culture? This lesson is all about defining culture. What does the word mean? When we read in the media about the growing need for intercultural dialogue between cultures that are apparently drifting apart, what does this mean?
• 2 Why is cultural diversity a positive thing? This lesson encourages students to see cultural diversity as a positive thing. It also asks the students to question what the world would be like if we were all the same.
• 3 How I feel my culture is misunderstood by others – how might people from other cultures see me? This lesson encourages students to contemplate the causes of cultural misunderstandings. It also invites them to discuss what they base their own opinions on in terms of other cultures.
• 4 What are the possible causes of cultural misunderstanding? This lesson encourages students to contemplate the causes of cultural misunderstandings. It also invites them to discuss what they base their own opinions on in terms of other cultures.
• 5 Media literacy – separating fact from opinion.This lesson encourages students to distinguish between fact and opinion within the media (and to appreciate the need to do so). Students also consider that cultural misunderstandings can be created by the media, and that people should handle the media’s interpretations of events in a responsible manner.
• 6 Media literacy #2 – do journalists shape or report the news?This lesson encourages students to question whether journalists shape or report news. Through doing so, students discuss the fact that ‘bad news sells’ and explore the impact of this upon intercultural understanding.
• 7 A vision for 2020 – what do you want your country to be like?This lesson encourages students to consider what they would like their country to be like by 2020, and to discuss how this might be achieved. They are also invited to see themselves as future stakeholders/parents within society.
• 8 What is extremism? This lesson encourages students to understand what extremism is and to identify some of its causes. It allows them to consider the concept of extremism - both in their own country and in other countries.
• 9 Tackling extremismThis lesson encourages students to find practical solutions for tackling violent extremism and also invites them to take responsibility for doing so. It flags up the work of government and non-government organisations.
• 10 How can conflict and disagreement be managed and resolved?This lesson encourages students to appreciate that dialogue is the best way to resolve conflicts. It gives students the chance to explore keywords (such as ‘compromise’, ‘communication’ and ‘diplomacy’). It also provides them with information about the UN (with specific reference to the Alliance of Civilizations).
• 11 Leaders in the wildernessThis lesson encourages students to think about what would happen if influential persons from around the globe took part in a Connecting Cultures desert journey. It also asks students to consider which key global issues need addressing (and the difficulties that might arise in so doing).
• 12 A plan for positive action – how can you make a difference?This lesson encourages students to join a global debate about their vision for 2020. It prompts them to do so through providing them with motivational stories about citizens who have made a significant difference to other people's lives.