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5 days ago3 min read

Lesson Plan: Exploring Culture and Identity Through Carnival


 

Lesson Plan: Exploring Culture and Identity Through Carnival

Lesson Title: The Significance of Jouvert and Notting Hill Carnival

Subject Area: PSHE

Key Stage: KS3/KS4 (Years 7-11)

Duration: 60 minutes


This lesson plan is based on our exhibition called Red Light Busking presents Dem Live A Foreign which was our exploration into London's migrant communities and how they have helped bring a rich blend of culture to London over the past decades. For more information on this please click here.


 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the historical origins and cultural significance of Notting Hill Carnival and Jouvert.

  2. Reflect on the themes of identity, community, and freedom.

  3. Analyze the importance of traditions in fostering inclusivity and cultural pride.


 




Lesson Materials

  • Access to the above video podcast Exploring Caribbean Traditions.

  • Worksheet: "Carnival Traditions and Themes" (below).

  • Flipchart/whiteboard for brainstorming.

  • Access to computers or devices with headphones (optional, for group listening).




Lesson Structure

Starter Activity (10 minutes)

  1. Think-Pair-Share:

    • Ask students: "What comes to mind when you think of Carnival?"

    • Encourage students to share their answers with a partner, then discuss as a class.

    • Write key terms on the board, e.g., "music," "freedom," "costumes," "community."



  1. Introduction to the Video:

    • Briefly explain the podcast’s themes: exploring the Caribbean heritage of Notting Hill Carnival, its ties to identity, and its evolution in Britain.



Main Activity (30 minutes)


1. Guided Listening (15 minutes)

  • Play selected clips from the podcast (timestamps for guidance):

    • 00:00-05:00: Origins and cultural roots.

    • 25:00-30:00: Jouvert and its ancestral significance.

    • 45:00-50:00: Contemporary challenges and community values.

  • Provide students with the "Carnival Traditions and Themes" worksheet to complete as they listen (questions provided below).



2. Group Discussion (15 minutes)

  • Split students into groups. Assign each group one discussion prompt:

    • Why is Carnival important for cultural identity?

    • How does Carnival promote community and inclusion?

    • What are the challenges of keeping traditions alive in modern times?

  • Groups present their thoughts to the class.



Plenary (10 minutes)

  1. Class Reflection:

    • Ask: "What can we learn from Carnival about our own identities and the value of cultural traditions?"

    • Encourage students to link the discussion to their own experiences of diversity or community events.

  2. Exit Ticket:

    • Students write down one thing they learned and one question they have about Carnival or cultural identity.



Carnival Traditions and Themes Worksheet


Name: ___________________________________Date: ___________________________________


Instructions: Complete this worksheet as you listen to the podcast clips.

  1. What are the historical origins of Notting Hill Carnival?(Hint: Who were Claudia Jones and Leslie Palmer?)

  2. What is the significance of Jouvert in Caribbean culture?

  3. Describe how Carnival promotes freedom and community.

  4. What challenges are mentioned regarding the preservation of Carnival traditions?


Optional Homework


We plan to continue developing lessons plans as a teaching resource, so please leave a comment telling us what you like or don't like about this learning resource as your feedback will allow us to create better resources for you.


Carnival/ J'ouvert Photography part of Red Light Busking presents Dem Live A Foreign Exhibition.



















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