MS.36 Understanding Ways People Are Different
This LifeKnowledge lesson (MS.36) teaches middle school students about diversity and the many ways people differ from one another. Through reflective thinking, a category-matching activity, and small-group discussion, students identify how people are classified in society, examine barriers such as prejudice, ignorance, and stereotypes, and discuss ways to expand their personal understanding of people who seem different.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Identify the different categories of how people are classified in our society.
- List barriers to understanding others who are different.
- Discuss ways to expand personal understanding of people who seem different.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 100 minutes-requires two class periods.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
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- Writing surface
- Overhead projector
- Envelopes or tear sheet
- Sets of 40 sticky notes, one per group of five students
- MS.36.TM.A
- MS.36.TM.B
- MS.36.AS.A
- MS.36.AS.B
- MS.36.AS.C
- MS.36.Assess—one per student
- Unit
- Stage Two of Development-WE
- Problem Area
- How Do I Initiate Relationships with Others?
- Precepts
- H1: Acknowledge that differences exist among people.
- Key Terms
- Diversity; Barriers; Stereotypes; Ignorance; Prejudice
- Resources
- Lambert, Jonamay, and Selma Myers. 50 Activities for Diversity Training, 1994. National FFA Organization's Essential Learnings, 2003.
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Presentation
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K12.2Understanding the Human Experience – Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience.