Key Stage 1 - The World Through My Window

PeaceMaker have identified the fact that many of our primary schools are predominantly mono-ethnic. In order to introduce children to the differences and similarities of people from different ethnic backgrounds to themselves, PeaceMaker created the Key Stage 2 workshop ‘The World Through my Window’.

The Workshop was developed in 2006 after working with Key Stage 2 pupils for many years. We were surprised at the stereotypes and prejudices that the children had already formed. It was clear that students needed to engage with issues of positive citizenship, diversity and anti-racism at an earlier age. The project has grown and developed over the years to become a day-long interactive, fun and lively workshop.

In the morning the pupils are introduced to five life-sized persona dolls through which they can experience diversity in the classroom. Each of the dolls has a link to a religion and a family member who lives abroad. There are stories and activities designed to encourage pupils to discuss cultural diversity whilst playing games and having fun. The workshop is child-centred and based around pupil choice for all activities. Pupils are given the opportunity to look at religious artefacts and try on clothes from around the world.

The afternoon takes a lively change in direction as pupils are able to experience a variety of art activities from around the world. The children are split into small groups and rotate around 3 or 4 different activities in which they learn the history and significance of the art form and create many different things to take home or proudly display at school in their classroom. The day finishes with a time for questions and evaluation of the project, and a fun and unique activity pack is provided for every child to take home to share their learning with their families.