TASKs for democracy

Activity 10
Exploring a cartoon
DESCRIPTION
Original activity contributed by Hugo Verkest
Focus: this activity helps participants discover different meanings and perspectives related to culture, identity,
tolerance and other basic concepts by exploring the group’s interpretations of a cartoon.
Target group: pre-/in-service teachers of age groups 10-14/14-18/adult learners
Expected learning outcomes:
A_EPIST_3 Inclination to see things from different perspectives
S_EPIST_1 Aptitude to cope with complex issues and avoid one-dimensional answers
S_SELF_1 Capacity to face the challenge of doubt and uncertainty
K_DIV_1 Understanding of the main concepts related to diversity (e.g. culture, identity, equality, empathy,
prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination, racism, citizenship, global interdependence, sustainability)
K_DIV_2 Understanding of the changing nature of identities and cultures
Type of activity: Core/main activity
PROCEDURE
Step 1 (group work – 10 minutes)
1. Display the cartoon and ask micro-groups or pairs of students to “read” it and make up discussion questions
based upon the cartoon or arising from its main themes.
2. Then ask each group to write their best questions on the board.
3. As they do so, note the similarities and differences in the questions from different groups.
Step 2 (individual and pair work – 15 minutes)
1. Participants answer the questions on the task sheet individually.
2. When they are finished, they can discuss their answers with a partner.
Step 3 (debriefing – 15 minutes)
1. Ask the participants to form new groups (or help them form new groups with colour cards) and discuss
the questions they find most interesting from among their own questions on the board and the ones
on the task sheet.
2. Ask the micro-groups to report to the whole class. Hold a debriefing session based on the groups’ choice
of questions.
Step 4 (evaluation – 5 minutes)
Participants write down three insights that they gained during this exchange.
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