Step 5 - Raising Voices

Discuss how the story changed from the first to the eighth volunteer. Didany one misrepresent Teacher Edwin’s intention? Did anyone consider thepossibility that Teacher Edwin was trying to be helpful and had suggestedthat she take the note he had written to her father about Betty’s latenessdue to this additional work he was giving her?What does this mean as far as how we talk about people? Explain thatgossiping and rumour mongering can be hurtful. Sometimes peoplemisunderstand the story. How would you feel if people were talking aboutyou in this way? Ask students to share what they learned from the exercise.Islands5.4cGoal• To examine our beliefs and question common assumptionsActivityPost three signs around the room—one that says ‘agree’, one that says‘disagree’ and one that says ‘not sure’. Explain that you will read astatement. Students have to decide if they agree with it, disagree with it orare not sure. After you read the statement, participants must race to standunder the sign that describes how they feel. They must decide fast sincethe last one to reach each sign will have to defend their reason.Read the statement. After everyone races to the sign, ask the last personunder ‘agree’ to say why they agree and the last person under ‘disagree’ tosay why they disagree. After they each state their reasons, those who areunder the ‘not sure’ sign may chose to go under a new sign. The ‘disagrees’and ‘agrees’ may try to convince the ‘not sures’ to come to their side.55