Anti Racist Education

Anti racist education is urgently needed, the fight to end racism is far from over. Woodcraft Folk stands in solidarity with all those affected by, and fighting against racism in all its forms. Racism must be challenged and opposed, and we all have more work to do. We are committed to unity, action, and education to support young people to build a new and better world.

This is a collection of actively anti racist activities for children and young people, along with links to resources from other organisations doing brilliant work in the fight against racism.

Anti Racist Education Activities to do at home

All Ages
Woodchip 3-5
Elfin 6-9
Pioneer 10-12
Venturer 13-15
DF 16-20

History Gap

Naming a place for someone is an act of respect and celebration - but across the UK streets are named for people who profited from slavery and places that are symbols of empire. What can we do about it?
DO THE ACTIVITY

Images to Icons

The raised fist is a potent symbol of resistance and unity. Explore its history from the French Resistance, via the 1968 Olympic Games, to Black Lives Matter. Then learn to draw it for your own protest banners and posters.
DO THE ACTIVITY

New Black History Makers — Diane Abbott & Stormzy

The New Black History Makers

Who are the people of African or Caribbean heritage making history now?Who inspires you? How can we celebrate, support and uplift them?

DO THE ACTIVITY

Colour Portrait

Make a colour self portrait to recognise that we all have different coloured skin. Start to learn about prejudice and how black people are often discriminated against just because of their skin colour.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Check Your Privilege

We live in an unfair and unequal world. Some people have great privileges while others do not. Understand what privilege means and how that knowledge can help you to dismantle it.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Bookshelf Audit

Stories are an important way to find out about the world. They can be inspiring and they build empathy and understanding. The traditional canon is very white - how does your bookshelf reflect the world around you?
DO THE ACTIVITY

homemade poster with raised fists and the slogan 'I stand with you'

Solidarity poster

Across the world people are protesting against racism and anti-blackness. Make a poster to show the world that young people are raising their voices against racism too and will build a better, fairer world.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Back of the Bus: Remix

Throughout history protest songs have brought people together and inspired action for social change and the fight against racism. Use this rich history to express the struggle for equal rights today.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Refugee Board Game

Many people have to move country to escape from persecution or war - they are called refugees. Explore the challenges they might face, then create a board game to play with your family.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Mini Zine

Zines are a grass roots vehicle for expression, and as such are a vital tool in shaping social change. Discover their thrilling radical history and make your own zine expressing your anti-racist views to share in your community.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Middle of the Map

How accurate are our maps? Who do they place in the middle? Explore the history and power imbalances that mean maps look like they do - and discover how they could be more accurate.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Celebrating Difference

Celebrate difference and understand that we all have different strengths, but that we are equally valuable. No one should be told they can't do something because of their gender or the colour of their skin.
DO THE ACTIVITY

Further Resources & Links

Anti Racist Education Links

UNICEF have written a short piece on how to talk to your children about racism.

The British Red Cross have also created excellent resources on how parents and children can talk to each other about race and racism – they have two versions, one for young children and the other for older young people.

If you didn’t have these conversations as a child, you might find it hard to know what to say. This is a list of things you might say — 100 race conscious things you can say to your children.

Amnesty International have some great activities that challenge discrimination and racism.

A coalition of charities have launched #YoungAndBlack. This is a project about amplifying young Black voices and giving young Black people control of their own narrative, sharing their thoughts on what it means to be #YoungAndBlack in Britain.

For a more structured look at black history, Cargo Movement has produced a series of lessons for key stage 3 which use poetry, film and illustrations.

Books

News from Nowhere is Liverpool’s not-for-profit radical & community bookshop. They have collected a list of Anti Racist books.

The Book Trust put together a reading list of historical stories from Black history around the world.

Here Wee Read is a blog dedicated to sharing diverse and inclusive books – here is their 2018 Ultimate List of Diverse Children’s Books.

Films

There are a lot of brilliant books about race and racism for younger children available as videos online. Jelani Memory reads his book A Kids Book About Racism. Julius Lester’s book Let’s Talk About Race is all about how we are the same under our skin.

Hair Love is short film which tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.

CBBC’s Newsround has shared black children’s thoughts on racism in the UK and the death of George Floyd in this short video. There are also many other brilliant short films aimed at young people from Newsround, including one about Kezia who is campaigning for more diversity in children’s books.

This short film features a young girl talking about her experiences of racism at school in the UK and poetry by Benjamin Zephaniah.

Roads From The Past is a short animated film about the history of Britain’s Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.

For older young people wanting to understand what is happening in the news at the moment this Guardian Explainer video explains US race protests, George Floyd and their context in a clear way and does not show any violence directly.

Organisations

Stand up to Racism organises actions and protests is supported by many trades unions and groups representing many of Britain’s diverse communities.

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity. They work in schools and other educational settings throughout the UK to offer a whole range of educational training, workshops, resources and activities, all designed to educate young people and adults about the causes and the consequences of racism.

Kids of Colour is “a platform for young people of colour to explore race, identity and culture and challenge the everyday, institutionalised racism that shapes their lives.” They also have a youtube channel with great films made by the young people they work with about their experiences.

Woodcraft Folk is committed to anti-racism. Here is our statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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