Brazil or UK?

What do I want to find out?

Explore pupils’ perceptions of Brazil and the UK and find out if they recognise the diversity of people and places in both countries. Getting the right answers is less important than finding out why choices have been made.

What do I need?

A series of photographs of Brazil and of the UK that depict people and places that challenge perceptions.

Paper to record comments and reasons given.

What do I do?

Timing: 5 minutes

• Show the pupils each photograph, or all the photographs together and ask them to decide whether they think it is Brazil or the UK. You can use photographs of any country that you are interested in.
• Decide whether you want pupils to vote for their answers, write them down, or sort the photographs into two piles.
• Make sure you record reasons for their choices and any other comments they make. Younger pupils may need support with writing down responses; if so record responses yourself or ask colleagues or volunteers to be note takers
• If you want to repeat the activity exactly, make sure not to tell pupils the correct answers.

How do I analyse the results?

• Keep a tally of the decision that is made for each photo: how many times it is thought to be from Brazil or from the UK
• Keep a record of all comments the pupils make, as well as their justifications for their choices.
• Note any critical thinking or questioning of the activity itself or of fellow pupils.
• Record any comments made about stereotypes.

How do I measure the change?

• Depending on the time between each audit, you can repeat the activity exactly, or use an alternative set of photos based on the same criteria
• You may prefer to ask pupils to revisit the original activity, show them their responses and ask them if they would like to change their mind. Record the changes, the reasons and which image they related to.
• Look for the extent to which pupils recognise diversity in each country and similarities between the two countries.
• Record any references pupils make to diaspora communities in the UK and in Brazil.