What is the Importance?
Diversity is defined as a state of being diverse, or having variety. In every classroom there are many ways in which each and every student is diverse from one another. It is important, as instructors, that we encourage our students to take pride in their differences. It is essential to implement these values in students at young ages. However, diversity and discrimination are "touchy" subjects in the classroom at times. I have attached a couple of lesson plans approved fro students from third to sixth grade. Be sure to always seek the proper permission from your principal and parents before introducing any potentially controversial material in the class.
Useful Lessons
Family Ties:
Students will be given a Family Data sheet to bring home and fill out with their parents regarding their cultural backgrounds and heritage. Every student will give an oral presentation to the class about their heritage. Students will be encouraged to bring in culturally relevant objects, food, or pictures from their home to share with the class. At the end of each presentation the students decorate a paper ring with the names of their countries of origin. Each ring will be added to a longer chain and strung up in the classroom.
"Fabric Ties and Family
Tales: Elementary Grades." Teaching Tolerance, n. d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. <http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/family-ties-and-fabric-tales-elementary-grades>.
A REMINDER: instructor must get a signed agreement statement from each parent which guarantees activity is approved by them and that they will participate with helping their children fill out the "Family Data" sheet. This way you not only are assuring that all parents are informed about the lesson and approve its intended purpose, as well as making sure that each student will have something to share with the class so no one is left out.
Don't Discriminate Wall:
This activity begins with the instructor informing students that anyone wearing the color blue will not be allowed to participate in recess that day. In groups the students will discuss how this makes them feel and who in the class is being discriminated against. Following their discussion groups will complete the "Don't Discriminate" worksheet. The class will have an open discussion about their answers to the sheets questions and students will write their emotions and reactions on a "graffiti wall". Looking at the graffiti wall, the instructor will lead a class discussion on what students can do to stop discrimination.
Discriminate Worksheet:
"Standing Up Against
Discrimination." Teaching Tolerance, n. d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. <http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/standing-against-discrimination-elementary-grades-3-5>.
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