SEE

Display and read the definition of solidarity. Discuss the meaning of each definition statement.

Definition:

• a firm and persevering commitment to the common good, which reminds us that everything is related
• the act of standing shoulder to shoulder with others
• a way of saying, ‘I’m here with you’

Using the Think-Pair-Share method, ask students to explain the term ‘solidarity’ in their own words. Discuss examples of where students have shown or seen others display solidarity. 

Display the image on page 2 in the Solidarity Presentation. Engage students into a discussion using the Turn and Talk strategy. How does this image connect to you? To your family? To your neighbours? Explain that this image is of an area in the Solomon Islands where they have had to raise areas of their community due to rising sea levels. See notes section in the presentation for additional information. Now they have context to the image, how does this change their connection to the image?

Using Turn and Talk strategy, have students explore the 3Y’s: Why does this matter to you? Why might it matter to people around you? Why might it matter to the world?
Source: Harvard University

Display the Caritas Australia Solidarity poster. Breakdown the text and visual imagery provided to ascertain the meaning of the poster. Discuss how this poster is representing solidarity.

Teacher’s Note: Each of the people in the images have experienced hardship. For 60 years, Caritas Australia has been working with communities around the world to confront the challenges of poverty, conflict and natural disasters. Through locally-led programs, we work with all people towards a world where all can thrive and reach their full potential. Regardless of where people live, we are all part of one world, one community, one family. We are all connected.

Deep dive into the case study of some of the people represented on the Caritas Australia Solidarity poster. Break students into groups to explore one of the following three people or communities. Groups are to complete the ‘Deep Dive’ handout for their allocated case study. Case Studies are: Leaia, Thu, Ronita.

JUDGE

Build as a Team activity. Break students into groups of 3 or 4 and provide them the same building materials to create something. The building materials can range from books to duct tape to boxes to string. Whatever you have available works. Decide if your student teams should all build the same thing, like the best bridge, or leave it open-ended and see where their imaginations take them.

Source: ProdigyGame

Read 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 26. Explain to students that we are part of one global family, and we all have a part to play; and discuss how this reading demonstrates solidarity by focusing in on verse 26. Where is the link between this verse and the Solidarity poster?

In pairs or individually, students create their own poster illustrating this verse 1 Corinthians 12: 26 and the meaning of solidarity. They can use their own words. Display these around the classroom. 

Act

Create a Solidarity Jar.

Brainstorm ideas of different actions people can do to demonstrate solidarity to people in their everyday live.

Students work in pairs to write one idea of how they can demonstrate solidarity. This act is then folded and placed into the Solidarity Jar.

Each day, invite a student to randomly select a Solidary action idea from the jar to be conducted by all students at some point during the day. 

Pray

Create a solidarity tree.

Create a large tree drawing on the classroom wall. Provide each student with leaves for them to write a prayer of solidarity. Add these leaves to the tree, creating a visual representation of solidarity in the classroom.