Why use the ‘Islamophobia is’ video series in your classroom
The ‘Islamophobia is’ video series will support educators in meeting a variety of learning goals among their students (Grade 6-12).
Here are some reasons to introduce the series, and the accompanying resources, into your classroom:
Accessibility and adaptability:
The videos are free to use and available online, accompanied by a reading/viewing list for those wishing to learn more on any particular topic covered.
They are designed for maximum engagement and retention, across age spectrums. Each video is short (approximately 3 minutes), and can be viewed independently or in concert with the others, as a solo endeavour or as part of a classroom/group activity. Complicated concepts are broken down for linguistic and intellectual accessibility. Animations and voice narration contribute to multi-sensory appeal. The videos are also captioned.
The videos are ideal for both online and in-person classroom set-ups.
Advanced anti-racism learning:
The concepts introduced in these videos are not generally present in mainstream discourse on Islamophobia, and tend to be exclusive to academia. Yet, these concepts are critical for understanding and addressing racism in its breath and depth. The production team has worked for years in anti-Islamophobia research, education, and activism with youth and non-youth, and have carefully distilled crucial facts and analysis into material appropriate for those aged 12 and upwards.
Positive citizenry & social skills:
Learning about racism beyond its most explicit manifestations (such as in bullying and hate crimes) helps students to develop skills that will serve them in the classroom and beyond – empathy, sensitivity, nuance, critical self-awareness and self-reflection, commitment to social justice, and meaningful allyship. Ultimately, by gaining a better appreciation for how society can negatively impact them and their peers even in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, students will be better situated to move through the world as an ally.
Critical thinking:
This video series offers more than facts and analysis specific to Islamophobia, but an inculcation into critical thinking – encouraging students to investigate beyond the surface, and adopt a more nuanced and piercing analytical lens towards all complex issues.
Other professional skills:
Through this video series, and the accompanying activities, students will additionally learn about: animation, design, video production, research, summarizing, visual metaphors, and other technological and linguistic devices used throughout the series.
Validation for Muslim/other racialized students:
This video series was inspired, in part, by the production team’s anti-racism educational work with students, and the visibly positive impact that this work has had. In discussing Islamophobia, Muslim and other racialized students are given language and analysis to articulate their own experiences – a powerful tool for individual empowerment, and collective upliftment. Discussing Islamophobia in a mixed setting with Muslims and non-Muslims gives students the unique opportunity to share across life experience, and for all students to benefit from this synergy.
How to use the series in your classroom
The guide – developed with the support of Ontario teachers – offers 23 classroom/homework activities appropriate for students Grade 6-12. It includes the associated connections to the curriculum.
The guide refers to other materials available on this website –
the videos & the resource list
Professional Development (PD) & student workshops
Our team is pleased to offer a limited number of Professional Development seminars for teachers, and workshops for students. If you are interested, please get in touch with us using the Contact form. Please note that, due to volume, we are not able to honour all requests. You may also use this form for other questions, comments, or concerns.