Inspired by Images

What is it all about?

Use images and a Gallery Walk to help students consolidate their learning about behaviours and actions that can lead to unnecessary risk. Students then create a performance to share their learning with others and promote behaviours that reduce injury and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. This activity may be used at the end of a unit of learning.

Curriculum Connections

Grade 11: C1.2, C2.1, C3.2

How is it done?

• Find and post images around the instruction space that depict risk-taking behaviours appropriate to the age and developmental stage of the students.
• Have students complete a Gallery Walk individually or in small groups, reflecting on the message each image conveys.
• Have students reflect what they have learned about the social and financial impact of risk-taking behaviours and actions and how to promote healthy behaviours in order to reduce the risk of injury.
• Have students select the images that most capture their attention.
• Have students each use one or more images as inspiration to create and perform a skit that tells the story behind the image and communicates what they have learned about what influences youth to engage in or refrain from potentially harmful or dangerous behaviours.
• After each skit, have students share what they hoped to convey through their performance and any additional learnings not included in the performance.
• Encourage the rest of the class to provide constructive feedback.
• Facilitate a group debriefing session. Have students reflect on what they learned, their and others’ reaction to the work of their peers, and what the group as a whole can take away from the activity to support the well-being of both self and others.

What may be needed?

• Images related to risk-taking behaviours and actions for the selected age and developmental stage of the students
• Space for students to complete a Gallery Walk
• Gallery Walk graphic organizer for students to record their reflections on

Opportunities for assessment

• Observe students as they complete their Gallery Walk and reflect on their learning in small groups.
• Collect the Gallery Walk notes from students to assess what they have learned and to determine further learning that may be needed.

Ideas for Extension

• After students have completed their Gallery Walk, conduct a large-group discussion about the message each image conveys in order to help students consolidate their learning before demonstrating it through their performance.
• After all groups have performed their skits for their peers, have the class generate alternative endings to the last scene of each skit.

Educator notes

• Moderate the post-performance discussion, ensuring class feedback remains constructive, correcting any misinformation presented in the scene, and answering any questions that may arise, referring to relevant resources as needed.
• If any potentially offensive or problematic content comes up in a performance, do not react in a disciplinary manner, but correct it.
• Acknowledge humour as a useful tool for strengthening memory, building confidence, and increasing self-efficacy that also helps to combat stigma and diffuse awkwardness.