Activity Introduction
In this lesson, students will investigate how labels are used to identify things and people. They will consider the impact of labelling people and explore the potential for labels as an empowering force. Students will investigate how symbols and images can help us communicate identity alongside labels and they will create their own visual representation of their unique identity. Students will consider how they choose to present their identity to the world, including the parts they wish to remain secret. They will reflect on how their use of labels can affect others.
Find all the IMAGI-NATION{TV} episodes on AIME’s YouTube channel.
Time required: 100 minutes
This lesson is designed to be flexible for use with various year levels and across the curriculum. It can easily be tailored or expanded to focus more deeply on the skills that students are exploring in their classroom context. For example, art teachers could focus more on visual representation of identity and HPE teachers could focus more on the social impacts of negative labelling.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand how labels are used to identify things and people
- Students understand the positive and negative impact of labelling people
- Students consider the potential benefits of owning their labels
- Students use symbols and images and express their identity.
- Topics: Creative Thinking, Social Issues
- This lesson is part of a wider program: IMAGI-NATION{TV}
- Level of teacher scaffolding: High – due to the sensitive and personal nature of the topics explored, teachers will need to keep a close eye on all conversations and monitor student safety and wellbeing
- Syllabus outcomes: PDHPE5.1, PDHPE5.13, VAS5.5
- General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding
- Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
- 21st century skills: Communicating, Cultural Understanding, Empathy, Ethical Behaviour, Social Skills
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Years 9 & 10 HPE
- Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089)
- Critique behaviours and contextual factors that influence health and wellbeing of diverse communities (ACPPS098)
Years 9 & 10 Visual Arts
- Plan and design artworks that represent artistic intention (ACAVAM128)
- Blank A4 paper
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues Factsheet
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Background Information
AIME created IMAGI-NATION{TV} & the IMAGI-NATION{CLASSROOM} experience to put a mentor in the home every day during the tough times of COVID-19 and beyond. It’s a daily TV show broadcast live on the internet, and it’s a gift for teachers, parents and kids to help make sense of today and imagine tomorrow.
The pursuit is to elevate knowledge; every guest we bring on knows something and has wisdom to share. This show is not just about entertainment to pass the time. We want to remake the mould for the modern hero – from beauty to brains, from selfies to self-knowledge, from hashtags to hope. IMAGI-NATION{TV} is seeking to unlock the best in every single one of us; to inspire a generation of heroes in the form of mentors who fight for a fairer world.
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Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.