Diversity - 1

Basic

Lesson Plan

Goal: Students will act respectfully towards others that are different in regards to race, cultural, language or religion in 8 out of 10 observable opportunities, as measured by a teacher assessment tool.

Objectives:
1. Use positive language/words that show being accepting/respectful of others regardless of their race, language, culture or religion.
2. Identify ways in which people can be different.
3. Identify up to 2 characteristics about your own diversity that you like and want to share with others.

Definition of Key Terms: Diversity means differences; people may be different in many ways, including physical appearance, favorite foods, where you live (house, apartment), race or ethnicity, age, disabilities, language, culture, appearance, or religion.

Discussion Points:

  • Name ways that people can be different.
  • Name ways that people can be the same.
  • How do you feel when you are with someone who is different than us?
  • What can we learn about people who are different from us?

Discuss with students what diversity means. Review the discussion points.


    Possible activities to review the discussion point:


Introduce the topic of diversity by reading the story The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio Story read aloud here: https://youtu.be/BpGhq4hkYHc

  • How were Salma and Lily the same? How were they different?
  • How did Salma feel when Lily made fun of her differences? How did Lily feel when Salma made fun of her differences?
  • How does being different from someone make you feel?
  • Is it ok to make fun of someone else's differences?

Discuss with the students the simple differences between classmates. Here are some possible differences:

  • Hair color
  • Eye color
  • Favorite food
  • Height
  • Number of people in their family

Optional Discussion Point Review Activity:

Step in Step Out - Have students stand in a circle. Ask specific questions that provide students the opportunity to step into the circle. For example, “Everyone with blue eyes step into the circle.” “Everyone with brown hair step into the circle.”

Directions for In-Person or Virtual Learning: You have three options for students to complete this lesson.

  • Option 1: Print the Student Activity Sheet for each student. Complete the lesson as a group and assign the activity sheet to the students.
  • Option 2: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and post to your Learning Management System (if your school has one) or send the link to the student. The student may complete the activity sheet electronically within the classroom on a shared computer or device.
  • Option 3: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and send the link to the student. The student may access the link from a home computer, chromebook, iPad or other device.

Activity 1: Create A Venn-Diagram

Display the picture above on an Interactive Board or print out large enough for all the students to see together. Ask them to look at the picture.

Materials Needed:
  • Electronic or printed copy of picture above
  • Student Activity Sheet A - 1 Per Student
  • Pencil for Each Student

Ask them to think about the following questions: What is different between the two kids? What is the same between the kids?

Record their answers on chart paper or the board.

Ask students time to complete Student Activity Sheet A. Discuss their answers as a class when finished.

Student Activity Sheet A

Look at the picture. What is different between the two kids. What is the same between the two kids?

List what is different:

List what is the same:

Activity 2: Draw a Self-Portrait

Have students create self-portraits. Make a point to instruct the students in the importance of accurately representing the color of their skin, hair and eyes. Make sure students have art supplies (crayons, markers, paints, etc.) that will allow them to accurately capture true skin tones, hair colors and eye colors.

Materials Needed:
  • Plain Paper - 1 Per Student
  • Pencil for Each Student
  • Mirrors or Photos of Students
  • Pencil for Each Student
  • Art Supplies

After the self-portraits are completed, display them around the room. Ask students to share differences and similarities that they see in all the portraits. Ask volunteers to share one trait about themselves that they are proud of or want to share with others.

Activity 3: Diversity Chart

Review the key points from Activities 1 and 2. Using graph paper or a white board, create charts or graphs as a visual representation of the physical attributes among classmates. You can use the self-portraits to begin the discussion. To expand for any grade level, talk about what is the same or different between classmates regarding where they live, what their favorite foods are, etc. For older students, you can expand on the demographics by including such attributes as race, ethnicity, nationality, and/or languages spoken.

Materials Needed:
  • Graph Paper or Board
  • Pencil for Each Student
  • Student Activity Sheet B

After reviewing the charts made, ask students to complete Student Activity Sheet B. When students have completed it, bring them together to discuss their answers.

Student Activity Sheet B

Using the information from the chart or graph, name one item that is the same about your classmates. Name one item that is different about your classmates.

Lesson Extension: Listening Comprehension

Explain that a script is a form of dialogue writing between characters in a movie, play, or broadcast. Utilizing the immersive reader students should listen carefully as the teacher plays the example scripts below. Replay the script if needed.

Materials Needed:
  • Student Activity Sheet C - 1 Per Student
  • Pencil for Each Student

After students have finished, allow those that want to share their comic do so or role play one of the example scripts.

Example script demonstrating two people understanding diversity appropriately:
Anoop: Hi! My name is Anoop. What is your name?
Donny: My name is Donny. I've never heard the name Anoop. Where are you from?
Anoop: India.
Donny: Cool. You are the first person I have met that is from India. Let me introduce you to my friends. I don’t think they have ever met anyone from India either.


Example script demonstrating two people not understanding diversity:
Anoop: Hi! My name is Anoop. What is your name?
Donny: My name is Donny. I've never heard of a name like yours. Where are you from?
Anoop: India.
Donny: Your name sounds funny. I never want to go to India.


Read Aloud Recommendations: Completing a read aloud with students is a great way to connect text with lesson content while incorporating reading and language practice. Below are suggested titles including, a YouTube link, Lexile and Grade Level information for books relating to the lesson.


Book Title Author Grade Level Lexile Level
Chrysanthemum Kevin Henkes K-2 570
Last Stop on Market Street Matt DeLa Pena K-3 AD610L
The Colors of Us Karen Katz K-5 570L

Student Activity Sheet C

Draw a comic to match the script that was shared with you.

Application Activity

In small groups, have the students create scripts demonstrating how to be respectful of diversity. Use the script sheet to assist the groups in creating scripts.

Materials Needed:

Have students record their scripts using the SiLAS software. Remind students to name and save their recordings. Premiere the movies with the group members at the end of each session.


Script Extensions:

Click the following hyperlinks to have students choose their Characters, Background and Props prior to writing scripts. For examples of script writing accommodations, click Here.


Ideas for modifying this activity based on your students’ needs:

  • create a script as a class
  • pair or group students so that skill levels are varied and assign each a role or task that uses their skill
  • create the script by recording the dialog with a phone or other recording device.

Example script demonstrating two people not understanding diversity:
Anoop: Hi! My name is Anoop. What is your name?
Donny: My name is Donny. I've never heard of a name like yours. Where are you from?
Anoop: India.
Donny: Your name sounds funny. I never want to go to India.


Topic Checkout

Review the key points from previous activities. Allow students time to complete the Student Topic Checkout. Discuss answers as a group when finished.

Materials Needed:
  • Student Topic Checkout - 1 Per Student
  • Pencil for Each Student

Student Topic Checkout

Directions: Read each statement. Check thumbs up if the statement is correct. Check thumbs down if the statement is incorrect.


1. Diversity means things or people are the same.

2. People can be different in many ways.

3. All people are of the same race and ethnicity.

4. People come from different cultures and may speak a different language.

5. It is good if classmates and friends are different from me.