Celebrating Harmony Week: Everyone belongs

This lesson is an ideal opportunity to celebrate Harmony Week. Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into our community. The central message is "Everyone Belongs," fostering inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

15 minutes

Tune In: Agree or disagree: Our identity tapestry

30 minutes

Find Out: My identity web

20 minutes

Take Action: Harmony handprint pledge

Learning intentions

We are learning to understand how our unique identities are shaped by diverse backgrounds and experiences.
We are learning to analyse how respectful behaviours foster positive relationships and a sense of belonging in our community.

Success criteria

I can understand identity, belonging and community.

💡 Tune In: Agree or disagree: Our identity tapestry

Step 1

Introduce the concept of identity and diversity, explaining that Harmony Day celebrates Australia's rich cultural variety and the importance of belonging. Emphasise that Australia's heritage is deeply rooted in the continuous cultures and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and understanding their diverse identities and deep connection to Country is fundamental to understanding Australia's rich past and present.

Step 2

Explain to students that you will read a series of statements. They need to physically move to one side of the room if they "Agree" with the statement, and the opposite side if they "Disagree."

Step 3

Read the first statement: "Everyone in our class has more similarities than differences." Allow students to move, then briefly ask one or two students from each side to explain their reasoning. Guide the discussion to acknowledge that while similarities exist, the vast diversity of human experience, including the ancient and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the many cultures that have come to Australia since colonisation, means differences are also profound and valuable.

Step 4

Read the second statement: "It is always easy for everyone to feel a sense of belonging at school." Repeat the movement and brief sharing process. Conclude by highlighting that while we have similarities, our differences are valuable and contribute to our rich classroom community.

🧠 Brain Break: Time: 5 mins: Rhythm ripple

Step 1

Instruct students to stand up and find some personal space. Explain that they will create a simple clap-and-stomp rhythm together.

Step 2

Start with a slow, steady beat: clap, clap, stomp. Encourage everyone to join in.

Step 3

As the class gets into the rhythm, gradually increase the speed. Emphasise the importance of listening to each other and trying to synchronise their movements.

Step 4

After a minute or two of increasing speed, bring the rhythm back down to the original slow pace before finishing with a final group stomp. Briefly discuss how focusing on the rhythm and listening to others helped them concentrate.

🔍 Find Out: My identity web

Step 1

Explain that our identity is made up of many different parts, like a web or a mosaic. Model your own 'Identity Web' by drawing a circle in the middle of a board with "My Identity" and then drawing lines outwards to other circles/bubbles. Fill these with aspects that make up your identity, such as "family traditions (e.g., cooking together)," "place I grew up (e.g., rural town)," "language spoken at home (e.g., English, some Italian)," "hobbies (e.g., reading, gardening)," "cultural background (e.g., Irish, Chinese)."

Step 2

Distribute large paper or card to each student. Before they begin their own webs, introduce the concept that Australia's identity is also a mosaic. Prompt students to consider including aspects of Australia's foundational Indigenous heritage within their own identity webs, such as: 'Connection to place/Country', 'Family stories and traditions', 'Local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages', or 'Learning about Indigenous cultures'. You might provide examples like: "My family loves camping at the beach, which connects me to the land," or "I am learning some Wiradjuri words from my friend."

Step 3

Instruct students to create their own 'Identity Web,' placing their name or "My Identity" in the centre, and then brainstorming and drawing/writing at least five different aspects that contribute to their unique identity. Encourage them to think about their family, culture, traditions, hobbies, values, experiences, and places they have lived or visited. Remind them to consider how elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their deep connection to Country contribute to the broader Australian identity and may influence their own sense of self, even if indirectly.

Step 4

Organise students into small groups of 3-4. Each student takes turns sharing one or two aspects from their Identity Web with their group, explaining how that aspect contributes to who they are.

Step 5

After everyone in the group has shared, facilitate a brief group discussion where students identify one similarity and one difference they noticed within their group's identities. Encourage them to reflect on how understanding the diverse identities within Australia, including the enduring presence and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, enriches their understanding of community and belonging.

✨ Take Action: Harmony handprint pledge

Step 1

Discuss how showing respect for each other's diverse identities and backgrounds builds a positive and harmonious classroom where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Ask students to brainstorm specific actions or behaviours that demonstrate respect and create harmony. Emphasise that this includes respecting the deep history, diverse cultures, and unique connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a fundamental part of Australia's identity and heritage.

Step 2

Distribute small squares of coloured paper to each student. Instruct them to trace their handprint onto the paper and cut it out.

Step 3

On their handprint, students will write one specific behaviour or action they pledge to do or embody in the classroom or school to show respect for diversity and help everyone feel they belong. For example: "I will listen to new ideas," "I will invite everyone to play," or "I will learn about different cultures." Provide prompts that specifically relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, such as: "I will learn about the Traditional Owners of our local area," "I will show respect for Indigenous stories and knowledge," or "I will appreciate the diversity of Indigenous Australian cultures."

Step 4

Collect all the handprints and, as a class, collaboratively arrange and attach them to a large piece of butcher paper or a wall space to create a "Harmony Handprint Pledge" display. This visual representation serves as a collective reminder of their commitment to an inclusive community.

🌱 Story of Change: Multicultural youth voices

The Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program supports schools and early learning services to develop learning and life experiences that are inclusive, respectful and engaging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and students. By embedding Indigenous perspectives and fostering genuine relationships, Narragunnawali helps create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging and reconciliation is actively promoted. (Source: https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/).

Assessment opportunities

Observe student participation and reasoning during the "Agree or Disagree" activity, noting their initial understanding of diversity and belonging. Assess their ability to articulate the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within Australia's diversity.
Review students' 'Identity Webs' for depth and variety of aspects chosen, checking their ability to explain how these contribute to their identity. Note the inclusion and thoughtful representation of elements related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and connection to Country.
Listen to group discussions during the 'Identity Web' sharing to assess their ability to identify similarities and differences respectfully.
Evaluate the "Harmony Handprint Pledge" for specific, actionable commitments to fostering respect and belonging. Check for specific pledges demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Differentiation

Support: Provide sentence starters or a pre-filled template for the 'Identity Web' with categories like 'My Family', 'My Culture', 'My Hobbies' to prompt ideas. Pair students with a supportive peer for group sharing. Offer sentence starters like "I feel connected to Country when..." or "I respect Indigenous cultures by..."
Extension: Challenge students to research a cultural festival or tradition from a country they are interested in, and then write a short paragraph explaining its significance and how it contributes to the identity of people from that culture. Alternatively, challenge students to research a specific aspect of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture (e.g., Dreamtime stories, traditional art, connection to a specific Country) and present their findings.
Extension: Have students interview a family member about a significant tradition or experience that has shaped their family's identity or sense of belonging, and then summarise their findings in a short paragraph to share with the class. Encourage students to also consider interviewing an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community member (with appropriate permissions and guidance) about their cultural heritage and connection to Country, if possible and appropriate for the school context.

Where to next

This lesson provides a foundation for exploring further topics such as anti-bullying strategies, understanding different perspectives in conflict resolution, and the concept of global citizenship. Students could next explore specific cultural celebrations or investigate local community groups that promote diversity and inclusion. Future lessons could delve deeper into the diverse histories, cultures, languages, and ongoing connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia, as well as exploring the impact of colonisation and the importance of reconciliation.

Key vocabulary

Identity: Who a person is, including their unique characteristics, beliefs, and background.

Diversity: The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.

Culture: The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.

Belonging: The feeling of being accepted and valued by a group, community, or society.

Harmony: A state of agreement or concord, especially in feelings or opinions; a peaceful coexistence.

Respect: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements; due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others.

Community: A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Traditions: The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.

Country: In the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 'Country' refers to the lands, waters, and all living things within them that are spiritually and culturally significant. It encompasses a deep connection and responsibility to the land.

Indigenous Australians: Refers collectively to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Peoples of Australia.

Reconciliation: The process of building better relationships between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.

This lesson was created by Thea + CoolPlus AI

Our Mosaic of Me: Celebrating Diverse Identities on Harmony Day

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Summary

Learning intentions

Success criteria

Lesson Guides and Printables

Lesson Details

Prior Knowledge

Skills Required

Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required

UN Sustainable Development Goals

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