Primary 4 have been learning about discrimination and equality.

• demonstrate respect for difference 
• know the meaning of the word ‘discrimination’
• know that it is wrong to treat someone different because they are different 

For this task we focussed on gender (the class did not know the focus at this point). Poppy and Cole were 2 of the pupils who volunteered and were chosen for the task. Both pupils were asked to do the same task (put cones in one tub and spheres in the other). After the task was complete Cole was given 9 sheets of raffle tickets and Poppy was given 1 sheet as a reward. Both of them looked a little confused as did the rest of the class…

‘But that’s not fair, he has more’

‘They did the same thing’

‘Did he pick up more?’

‘Is that why he got more raffles?’

I told the class the only reason Cole got more raffle tickets was because he was a boy.

‘What? why?’

‘I dont think thats very fair’

‘Neither do i’

‘We did the same thing though’

‘No one did a better job they were the same’

Cole- ‘But i think i should give some of mine to Poppy’

The class all agreed that they should have been given an equal reward for completing the same task. Cole gave Poppy 4 sheets of his raffles so they both had 5 each. We then came up with a definition for discrimination. The class also came up with other super examples of discrimination. Discrimination is unfair treatment of a person or group of people. In this case the different treatment is because of the person’s gender.