Harmony
Workshops

Overview

Through our highly interactive and energetic workshops, participants are led to understand how their own identity affects their attitudes and behaviours towards specific groups. Participants are challenged to explore their own thinking and perceptions through informative discussions, role-playing, and responding to case scenarios and multimedia presentations. Workshops can be customized depending on school and community needs.

Gender Bender

The Gender Bender workshop is designed to critically look at the construction and evolution of gender identity.

It examines the distinctions of what is “male/female,” and questions how our social ideas of gender can limit the unique expression of individuals. This workshop is intended to help high school students look at their own gender identity and question how they in turn, look at other people. Through engaging activities, media examples and open discussions, students will leave with a better understanding of their gender identity and the knowledge required to speak up against sexism.

Workshop Duration: 90 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 9 – 12

 
 

Borat? Russell Peters? Dave Chappelle? Who Controls Your ID?: (Mis)representations of Racial Identity

This highly interactive workshop will examine the influence of popular media on the construction of identity in youth culture.

Through an in-depth exploration of ‘what makes things funny,’ this workshop allows youth to explore the (mis)representations of racial and ethnic identity in the media, their own peer groups, schools, and families. Using a variety of media clips and through active discussion and games, participants will gain an understanding of how their own identity affects their attitudes and behaviours towards specific groups – particularly racialized communities and individuals labelled as ‘other.’ In addition to developing a critical understanding of these misrepresentations, youth will be given educational tools and leadership strategies to actively and proactively respond to such issues in their respective social and educational environments.

Workshop Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers

Grade Levels: Gr. 9 – 12

 


 

Beyond Borders: Canadian Immigration and Barriers to Inclusion

This workshop will explore the importance of immigration for a healthy and diverse Canadian society.

Participants will shed their preconceived ideas of what an immigrant is, learn about current immigration trends, and begin to break down stereotypes about people who are newly arriving in Canada every day. The implications of failing to embrace the rich experiences and contributions of immigrants will be explored, and through interactive role-plays and games, participants will gain an appreciation for the barriers to inclusion faced by new immigrants in Canadian society.

Workshop Duration: 90 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 9 – 12

 


 

From Ramadan to Rosh HaShana, Smudging to Saris: Do We Really Embrace Religious Diversity in Canada?

This interactive workshop will examine the meaning of the word ‘multiculturalism’ and explore what we can do to make Canada a more accepting and understanding place for people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
Through active role-plays and games, and by looking critically at the media and popular culture, students will examine their own stereotypes, prejudices and belief systems in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of diversity in their schools, communities, and across Canada. Participants will gain an understanding of the inadequacies of the word ‘tolerance’ in relation to multicultural dialogue, and begin to see that embracing religious diversity creates positive change for all Canadians.

Workshop Duration: 90 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 6 – 8; 9 – 12

 


 

Take Control: Preparing Youth for the Fight against Homophobia

TAKE CONTROL is an interactive, discussion based workshop that focuses on issues related to identity and sexuality, with a main focus on acceptance and respect.

Through interactive activities and various movie clips, we will take a look at how society views the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community and the affect that it has on everyone. Take Control is centered around the idea of education, awareness-building and breaking down the stereotypes and assumptions we have about LGBT culture. By looking at the language, history and evolution of identity and sexuality, as well as cultural influences and stigmas, students will not only learn how to speak up against discrimination related to homophobia and heterosexism, but will receive tools on how to become allies in their schools and communities.Workshop Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 9 – 12

 


 

Asian Heritage Month Workshop

Mitra Sen, the producer, director of the award-winning films The Peace Tree, just a little red dot…, Spirit of India, and founder of Peace Tree Day, will show clips from her films and discuss the issues highlighted.
She will also share the richness of South Asian heritage and her experiences of South Asian identity as a Canadian. Mitra will dispel some of the myths associated with India, sharing facts through an interactive quiz and demonstrate aspects of the arts, culture and traditions of the subcontinent through a saree demonstration and Indian design techniques.

Workshop Duration: 60 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: DVD player, markers, 8.5” x 11” paper, pencils
Number of Participants: up to 30
Grade Levels: Gr. 2 – 6

 


 

But what can I do?

This participatory workshop for youth in grades 4-6 will uncover the dominate stereotypes that lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Students will not only identify how racism, sexism, and many other ‘isms’ are learned in their respective environments, but also brainstorm effective methods to combat discriminatory attitudes and behaviours. Youth will have the opportunity to create action plans and strategies as well as educational resources to actively combat discrimination and bullying in their schools and communities.

Workshop Duration: 90 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 4 – 6

 


 

The Simpsons Made Me Do It! Popular Culture and Stereotypes in the Media

This interactive workshop will allow participants to explore all aspects of the media to uncover hidden stereotypes, prejudices and biases.

Using clips from The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy and other popular primetime television shows, and by examining movies, the internet, and print media, students will have the chance to understand and critically analyze the misrepresentations and invisibility of various cultures, races and genders in the media. In addition to developing a critical understanding of these misrepresentations, participants will be given educational tools and leadership strategies to actively and proactively respond to the challenge of diminishing the effects of negative stereotypes in their respective environments.

Workshop Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 5 – 8; 9 – 12

 


 

Calling All Actors: How to ImpACT your School with Popular Theatre

This popular theatre workshop empowers youth through the use of dramatic arts. Regional and global topics are infused into education and training modules to create a forum where students can explore issues of diversity and equity.

Using their own experiences and feelings, students will acquire the skills necessary to explore different options and examine the consequences of their actions, and the impact of change in a safe environment. Using a variety of methods and techniques to educate and inspire program participants, Calling All Actors will give youth the opportunity to interact with each other, create dialogue, and role play to learn how to deal with prejudice, stereotypes and other forms of oppression so that they can make a positive change within their schools and communities.

Workshop Duration: 120 – 180 minutes
Fee: TBD
Supplies/Equipment Required: projector, screen, chart paper, pencils/markers
Grade Levels: Gr. 9 – 12

 


 

Customize your workshop!

Harmony staff can develop and facilitate workshops to meet your specific needs. Would you like to educate your students about abilism and the treatment of people with disabilities? Interested in creating a discussion on nationalism? Concerned about xenophobia in your workplace? Contact us to customize a workshop to meet the needs of your school, business, or community organization.