Get new cultural glasses!
Have you ever experienced a discussion with someone about shades of colour, where both of you are suggesting different shades of the same colour? Now imagine if we apply these phenomena to different aspects of our lives, during which we perceive things in different ways. Let’s discuss and learn from these differences.
Warm up
Where does pizza originate from? Can you think of something similar to pizza from a different place around the world?
Present these ideas to your buddy.
Think:
- What is your favourite pizza?
- Which pizza do you dislike?
Learn
It might be a good idea to prepare your own pizza for you and your family! In the meantime, let’s mind travel by reading this poem which is inspired from an Indian fable! Let’s get started!
Dive in 1
Together with your buddy answer the following questions:
- What do you think caused this misunderstanding?
- Why did the men perceive the elephant differently?
- Why did they think that the other five were lying?
- Do you think the perception of one of the men is true, or truer than the one of the others? Can they all be true at the same time?
- How would you link this to meeting new people?
Create 1
Have you ever tried out poetry? If not, it doesn’t matter as anyone can write poems, especially with the help of a buddy!
So now try your hand at writing a poem or a funny story similar to the one of “The Blind Men and the Elephant”. It should refer to a situation in which the characters have different perceptions of the same thing.
Create 2
Describe the world you perceive in your brain!
Describe or draw on a piece of paper or on a digital app the image that comes to mind when you think of the following words:
- Table
- Lamp
- Hat
- Tree
Compare the result of your creation with your buddy. Create a poster which incorporates both of your ideas. You can also paste them near each other on another larger piece of paper.
Do you notice any similarities and differences? Why do you think that there are some elements which are the same and some which aren’t? Write down your thoughts related to this.
Reflect
It’s now time to share your own experience!
Discuss the following questions with your buddy:
- Have you ever been in a situation in which you and someone else had different perceptions of something? (Think of the elephant poem you read earlier.)
- If yes, how did you feel? How did you react?
- If not, how can you be sure that the others are understanding you well?
- In such a situation, do you think one person is right and the other person is wrong?
Create a postcard based on this!
Download the free KIDS4ALLL app and your wish comes true!
