This month, we will be going into classrooms focusing on the topic of diversity. Our school-wide learning target is: I can define diversity, identify ways humans are diverse and understand the negative effects of intolerance to diversity.
5th Grade: We will begin our lesson with the 'Alien' icebreaker. Next, as a class, we will define diversity and the many ways in which humans are diverse. We will then discuss the negative effects of intolerance to diversity, including stereotyping and prejudice. We will end the lesson with the 'Shapes' activity. In this activity, each student will receive a pile of one shape, square, circle or triangle. They will be asked to make something with their shape, a house, car or bike. The students will see how difficult it is to create with only their shape. They will then share shapes with each and see how much easier it is to create with diversity.
6th Grade: In 6th grade, our lesson will be split into two halves. Mr. Borden will speak first about harassment, including the harmful effects of harassment as well as the possible legal consequences. After this, as a class, we will define diversity and the many ways in which humans are diverse. We will then discuss the negative effects of intolerance to diversity, including stereotyping and prejudice. Next, we will participate in the 'Label' activity. I will put a label on each student's forehead (smile at me, shake my hand, give me a high five, etc.). 10% of the students will have a label that reads, walk away from me. The students will then mingle around the class room interacting with each other. After the activity, we discuss how if felt for those students who were left out and how intolerance to diversity can make people feel.
7th Grade: We will begin our lesson with a video of high school students discussing what diversity means to them. We will then discuss the definition of diversity and the students will be asked if they believe having diversity in our communities is a positive or a negative and why. Next, we will view and have a discussion of the Pyramid of Hate and what can happen in a society when diversity is not tolerated. Finally, the students will participate in the 'Unequal Resources' activity. The students will be divided into five groups, each group will be given a bag of art supplies. The first group with have nothing but pencils and one colored pencil; the bags will continue to have more items until the fifth bag which will be full of markers, crayons, colored pencils, construction paper, glue, tape, scissors, etc. The groups will then be asked to create a spring picture with their supply bag. This activity helps students to think deeper about economic diversity.
8th Grade: In 8th grade, Ms. Jo will be co-teaching a diversity lesson with Mr. Warren in his Social Studies classes.
