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Objective: Prepare students for the show through a discussion of some of the big ideas.
Materials: Something to write on and something to write with (chart paper and markers, interactive whiteboard, projector, pen and paper, etc.)
To view the entire study guide as a .pdf (Click Here)
To view Curriculum Connections .pdf for the entire study guide (Click Here)
Below are prompts for discussion. They may be used for a whole class discussion, paired or small group discussion, or any variation thereof. The group may wish to take notes on the discussion on chart paper to refer to after the show or to note any questions that arise from discussion
How do you communicate with other people?
What languages do you speak?
If you speak more than one language, what differences do you notice between them? Do you ever have to translate between them? Is it difficult to translate?
What are other reasons you might have to translate someone’s meaning?
Explore culturally specific meanings within a single language (e.g. youth culture, region differences in language such as soda/pop/coke)
What languages are spoken in Canada?
Introduce Indigenous languages if not mentioned by students
Introduce sign languages (Plains Sign Talk, la Langue des Signes Quebecoise, and American Sign Language in Canada), braille, and other means of communicating
The American Association of the Deaf-Blind website contains information on tactile methods of communication
Has this always been the same?
What are the official languages of Canada and why?
Why aren’t Indigenous languages included?
What are the official languages of Ontario?
French services are only provided in some areas of the province.
What languages do you learn at school?
How do you communicate with someone if you don’t share a common language?
Discuss elements which are consistent across cultures (e.g. facial expressions such as smiles and frowns) and elements which are inconsistent (e.g. gestures which have different meanings in different cultures).
How do you solve an argument or disagreement?
What does it mean for something to be fair?
What is good about having different kinds of people living together in the world?
What is difficult about having different kinds of people living together in the world?
How do you want to be treated when you disagree with someone or are having trouble communicating?
What is a border?
How are borders made?
What borders exist in your life?
Where did they come from?
What is your environment?
How was it made?
What affects your environment?
How can we protect the environment?
The title of the play is Head à Tête. What do you think it means? What do you think the play will be about?