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Totally Together

'Celebrating and understanding diversity'

Show length: 35mins

Age 9-12

Includes Teachers' Resource Pack & 10mins hot seating

A new show for October-December 2007!

A new educational theatre project promoting community cohesion, celebrating difference and tackling racism and discrimination

“TOTALLY TOGETHER” is an entertainment-packed 35 minute educational performance and project for 9-12 year olds, that will be launched in October 2007 and tour throughout November and December.

The production dispels the current misunderstandings about immigration and asylum, and helps young people build empathy towards, and strong positive relationships with, people from different social and cultural backgrounds.

The media is currently awash with stories of the increased numbers of hate crimes and bullying incidents amongst young people and as such, today’s society is increasingly fearful of the world in which it lives. As educators, Chain Reaction demonstrate another way of living; a way of living that shuns fear and violence and is instead based on tolerance, and celebrating and understanding difference and individuality.

“As migration and economic change alter the shape of our increasingly diverse local communities, it is more important than ever that all schools play a full part in promoting community cohesion.Every school should be a thriving, cohesive community, but it also has a vital part to play in building a more cohesive society”. (Duty To Promote Community Cohesion Guidance Consultation, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), May 2007)

At 9-12 years, young people are at a transitional time of life when individual opinions and beliefs are being formulated and “TOTALLY TOGETHER” sends clear, balanced, positive messages to aid their decision-making both in and out of the school environment.

“The curriculum for all maintained schools should promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, andprepare pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life”. (Education Act 2002, Section 78)

“Schools have a duty to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different groups”. (Race Relations Amendment Act 2000)

From September 2007 all schools will have a duty to promote community cohesion in line with the Duty To Promote Community Cohesion guidelines (DfES, July 2007) and the Equality Legislation Guide For Schools (6th April 2007, from Equality Act 2006). “Totally Together” links directly to these initiatives promoting equality opportunities for all, regardless of age, gender, cultural or religious background or any other factors.

The show also addresses elements of the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) curriculum introduced by the DfES – aspects addressed include self-awareness, managing feelings, empathy and social skills.

Chain Reaction’s work encourages confidence, self-esteem and informed choice by providing entertaining theatre packed with factual information. Our unique style uses a mixture of story, sketches, music and parody to ensure that our important messages land with maximum impact on our audience.

Our experience has proven time and again that through the engagement of emotion, young people retain information.

Additional activities/resources

Each 35 minute performance will also be followed by a 10 minute ‘hot seating’ session, where young people will get the opportunity to ask the characters questions, discuss the issues and underline the message of celebrating and understanding diversity. “Totally Together” accompanied by a Resource Pack for teachers that will provide ideas for activities that can be undertaken in class before and after Chain Reaction’s visit to maximise this fantastic learning experience. It will also provide details of where to go for further help and support on diversity issues.