2020 has been a very tumultuous year for many reasons! In light of that, I wanted to help my students become more aware of the issues and current events that have unfolded this past year regarding race and how they can implement change as future parents, teachers and caregivers. In my “Children & Racism,” lesson, I strive to accomplish those goals by embracing our differences.
- Note: This lesson can be taught both in class and/or virtually.
- Present students with the bell ringer prompts. I assign them in Google Classroom as “ASK” questions. Students respond and justify before discussing as a class. If you don’t use Google Classroom, I’ve included a Bell Ringer Slide with the Prompts in the attachments below.
- Ask students to think about what makes us different. I have them complete the “Thin Slides” intro activity as a quick way to generate ideas. When you assign the EduProtocol “Thin Slides”, students have 3 minutes to find a slide and add their name, one word and one image. Students will have 10-20 seconds to share orally, when the three minutes is up.
- Because I want my students to understand all of the terms associated with this topic, I assign them a slide deck of vocabulary terms to define.
- iPad or Laptop
- Screen & Projector
- The EduProtocol Field Guide Book 2 (affliliate link)
- Once the intro activities have been completed, we read the NewsELA article titled, ““Speak up!” “Sesame Street” tackles racism in TV special” and complete the questions in the first part of this assignment that not only correspond with the article but events that have transpired throughout 2020.
- In the second part of this assignment, students write a letter to a future child, niece or nephew explaining racist events that have transpired in 2020. Encourage them (future children) to be aware of racism, stand up to it and take action in positive ways, helping their communities to unite and overcome racism. Encourage students to share some of their words and ideas with the class.
- To conclude the lesson and discussion, I ask students to imagine what the world would be like if we could all be like these two boys! There are a couple of EXIT slip prompts that follow. Again, encourage students to share. My responses are…love each other, accept each other and embrace our differences!
- At this point, I give them three project options that culminate the lesson. They must choose one to complete. The projects include:
- Option #1: Write a CROT poem with an “Embrace Our Differences” anti-racism message. I share an example of a CROT Poem (different topic) with students so they can see what they are.
- Option #2: Write an 8-10 page children’s book with an anti-racism message around the theme, “Embrace Our Differences” using the storybook website. I share this story, “Anti-Racist Baby” via “YouTube with students as a children’s book example.
- Option #3: Curate an Instagram post sharing a variety of children’s resources such as songs, toys, books and other media (tv & movies) geared to children, promoting anti-racism messages. Include explanations of how the resource would help young children and their families. I share this YouTube example titled, “Barbie & Nikki Discuss Racism” with students so they get an idea of what I’m looking for.
- Bell Ringer Prompts for Children & Racism (please make a copy)
- What Makes Us Different_ Thin Slides (please make a copy)
- VOCABULARY Assignment: Children & Racism (please make a copy)
- “Speak up”_Sesame Street & Racism Article (PDF)
- “Speak up_Sesame Street & Racism Article_Questions (please make a copy)
- Exit Slip Prompts for Children & Racism (please make a copy)
- CROT POEM Directions & Rubric
- Children’s Storybook Rubric
- Fake Instagram Template (please make a copy)
- Embracing Our Differences Media Resources (fake) Instagram Project (please make a copy)