Grade 6 students at Ken Danby PS work toward dismantling oppression
June 5, 2023
GUELPH, ON – Grade 6 students at Ken Danby Public School in Lisa Breton’s class, with the help of Teacher Librarian Stacey Periard, have been hard at work this year seeking opportunities to dismantle racism and oppression in the school community.
Earlier this year as part of their studies, grade 6 students explored the framework of Dr. Gholdy Muhammad and were given the task of brainstorming different ways to actively dismantle racism and oppression in their school community or in the world.
Muhammad is a Professor of Curriculum who focuses on literacy, language and culture, her books explore criticality as defined by her as “the capacity and ability to read, write, think and speak in ways to understand power and equity in order to understand and promote anti-oppression.”
As a follow-up to their studies around Muhammad’s teachings, students independently formed four groups to use their knowledge to act as advocates to change the narrative in their school.
One group comprised of female students set out to teach younger girls to promote self-love and self-worth. They organized and led an activity in the school’s Library Learning Commons for grade 1 students to help them build community and love for themselves and for others. They also used the opportunity to unveil a bathroom project at the school where the same group of students designed, printed and placed positive affirmations on the mirrors in the primary bathroom.
The second group of students looked at sports picture books and critically assessed their messages. After concluding that most of the picture books available for their age group showed that able-bodied, white boys play sports they decided to take action and look for books that promoted equity and diversity in sports. They created and presented a video to the Ken Danby Parent Council and were given the funds to purchase books that they had researched. These books were added to the school’s collection.
A third duo of girls decided to critically evaluate the fixed art in the school hallways. This initiative led them to consult a local art curator to help them create proposals to promote the unique intersectional identities and stories that are more reflective of their school community. This art project is set to be unveiled to the community in the fall.
The final group of students decided to educate their peers about accessible sports. These students organized and invited the Ontario Blind Sports Association to the school to educate a group of students about Goalball, a sport for the visually impaired. Read more about this initiative on the board website.
Congratulations to the students and staff involved with this work!
