Using The Rubric - Weekend Task

While The Simpsons is not the ideal source for a related material, there are other examples that are as accessible and far more acceptable.

Read the following extract from Growing Up Asian In Australia by Alice Pung. Answer the following questions.  

• How has context (personal, cultural, historical and social) shaped perceptions of belonging?
• How can a sense of belonging emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world?
• How can aspects of belonging be considered in terms of experiences and notions of identity, relationships, acceptance and understanding?

• Seemingly, Amy's relationship with her Grandad was strengthened with his passing. Is this possible? What does this teach us about belonging?
• The concepts of time and belonging are linked throughout the text. How is time used by the author to explore the concept of belonging in the text?
• Re-read the last paragraph of the text. Choose a quote from there that speaks to you. What does this quote say about belonging?

If you think that this is a text that you would like to further explore as a related material; or simply as it interests you, you can find more information about the author here and here. 

Using The Rubric

The Simpsons: Season 20 Episode 2
Lost Verizon

Bart feels left out after realising he is the only kid in this day and age without a cell phone, so he tries to work in a country club as a golf ball finder to earn money for it. He then finds Denis Leary's phone instead.

Belonging related materials are everywhere. While this activity does not endorse popular sitcoms as a suitable choice, it does allow us the opportunity to see how we can identify the role that Belonging places in our everyday lives. 

After viewing the episode, answer the following questions from the Rubric with a partner. 

• How has context (personal, cultural, historical and social) shaped perceptions of belonging?
• How can a sense of belonging emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world? 
• How can aspects of belonging be considered in terms of experiences and notions of identity, relationships, acceptance and understanding?

Interesting websites that may help you in this activity can be found here and here. 

Belonging - Fundamental Need

Read Belonging Is A Fundamental Need (p. 5-6) in your booklets and answer the following questions in full sentences in your exercise books.

1. What do you think is meant by the reference to belonging as a 'basic drive'?
2. What does human ancestry have to do with our need to belong?
3. What role do genetics play in our need to belong?
4. What is the only thing more important to humans than belonging, according to Abraham Maslow?
5. What is meant by the term 'enculturation?'

Extension: What do you think is meant by the belonging quote at the beginning of this section of the booklet? (Ecclesiastics)