Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A Collection
iversity Discussion Starters
of Ice Breakers
Designed
to Start
Conversation
about
Diversity
3 Introduction
5 Life Skills
22 additional Resources/References
2
I ntroduction
3
How Can These Activities Boost an When and Where Should These
Understanding of Diversity? Activities Be Used?
Learning about diversity can be fun. However, The materials and activities in this publica-
beginning to discuss the topic of diversity can be tion are appropriate for use by teachers, youth
difficult. Therefore, this publication will provide development leaders, diversity educators, child-
activities that can help participants: care professionals, and education profession-
n Define and think about how they interpret the als in other settings. Although the materials in
term diversity. this publication are appropriate for elementary
n Interpret the stories and poems meaning for schoolage youth, many of the discussion starters
themselves. are adaptable for use with people of a variety of
n Share their feelings regarding the stories and ages. In fact, adults will benefit from engaging
poems. in thought-provoking discussions and questions
n Accept and respect differences and similarities found in this discussion guide. Select the ques-
between themselves and others. tions that are most appropriate for the group.
Adapting the materials for various audiences will
be left up to the facilitators discretion.
Note to Facilitators
4
L ife Skills
Learning and facilitating discussion about diver- n Examining your reaction: How do I really feel
sity isnt all that will result from using this guide. about what is being said or done?
This guide also allows participants the opportu- n Considering alternative responses and oppos-
nity to practice skills that they will be able to use ing viewpoints: Based on what I know, is the
in real life. statement true?
n Deciding among the alternatives: What im-
This section will explain the many skills partici- plication does this decision have on my future
pants will gain by working through the activities and me? Am I willing to use this information
in this guide. The definition of each life skill has in making decisions?
been adapted from Targeting Life Skills, by Pa-
tricia A. Hendricks, former Iowa State extension Learning to Learnacquiring, evaluating, and
youth development specialist. Life skills found in using information; understanding the methods
this guide include: and skills for learning.
n Valuing Diversity n Observing or using the senses to gain new in-
n Cooperation tion.
n Caring for others n Questioning to gain more information.
n Involving oneself in helping others; demon- mation, or messages that have been written.
strating concern. n Speaking: talking or verbal communication;
n Being able to accept expressions of concern conversation; planning, organizing, and pre-
from others. senting a speech.
n Listening: hearing and interpreting verbal
(spoken) communications.
n Giving feedback: responding to communica-
tion.
n Observing: being attentive to and interpret-
6
C opyright Information and Disclaimer
7
D iscussion Starter 1
Diversity
Author unknown
Zero, answered the second 7-year-old boy with The problem, as it turns out, was not so simple
equal certainty. If you shoot one bird, the others after all. In some ways it gets to the very heart of
will fly away. what the fuss is all about regarding cultural diver-
sity and the need to recognize, understand, value,
and, finally, manage it.
Questions
America?
9
D iscussion Starter 3
Color Blind
Clever Black
in todays society?
He said he thought that it was true, n What do the colors of peoples skins say about
From listening to a God he knew them? Does it accurately describe their person-
That we would someday, somewhere find ality, intelligence, or ability?
That even Christ was color blind. n Why do people have different skin colors?
Crayons Discussion
Author unknown Appreciating diversity is valuing what makes us
We could learn a lot from crayons: similar as well as different. This poem talks about
Some are sharp, learning to live together and appreciating the
Some are pretty, unique qualities of others. Encourage participants
Some are dull, to look around themselves and take note of all
Some have weird names, the things that make them who they are. This
and are all different colors, poem is special because it can be adapted to dis-
But they all have to live in the same box. cuss all areas such as gender, age, physical abili-
ties, intelligence levels, racial/ethnic backgrounds,
economic status, beliefs, family structures, places
of residence, and so forth.
Questions
of intelligence?
n How can people with varying traditions, be-
11
D iscussion Starter 5
Well, I bought that box of crayons, and took it home with me,
And laid out all the crayons so the crayons could all see. . . .
They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shinning bright on White clouds drifting by.
12
Discussion Questions
This is a vivid story about a box of crayons that n Why didnt the crayons in this box get along?
did not get along. At first they disliked each n Why did the little girl take the box of crayons
other, but after learning to value each others home?
unique qualities, the crayons in the box began n What did it take for the crayons to begin to
and cooperation and to dispel stereotypes about In what ways do you think they are similar to
different groups of people. the box of crayons?
n Is the box of crayons similar to your class-
13
D iscussion Starter 6
encounter?
n What questions might the boy have following
this encounter?
15
D iscussion Starter 8
The black mans face bespoke revenge beliefs of the six characters?
As the fire passed from his sight, n How do you think this story should have
For all he saw in his stick of wood ended? If you could rewrite the ending of this
Was a chance to spite the white. story, would you? What would you change
and why?
And the last man of this forlorn group n This poem presents the story of five men and
Did naught except for gain, one woman, each with their own prejudice
Giving only to those who gave that inhibits rational thought. What would
Was how he played the game. you have done if you were trapped in the bleak
and bitter cold with a dying fire and you had a
The logs held tight in deaths stilled hands stick? Would you have hesitated to share your
Was proof of human sin. stick of wood?
n Explain the last verse. What impact does this
They didnt die from the cold without,
verse have on the way you view others?
They died from the cold within.
16
D iscussion Starter 9
17
Questions n Have you ever been faced with an unusual
problem or situation that required you to use a
n Did the ending of the story surprise you? Why specific skill? What was the situation and what
or why not? skill(s) did you use?
n Describe the cats special skill. How did she n Write about a time when youve been in a
n What are the benefits of being bilingual? Does it increase your chances of communicat-
n How important is open-mindedness to experi- ing with others? Explain. Do you find it to be
encing other cultures and languages? a useful communication tool or skill?
n Do you think students should be required to n If you could rewrite the ending of this story,
learn another language in school? Why or why how would you change it?
not? n Who do you think the cat and the mouse
n What other skills are useful to have when represent in our society?
interacting with people who speak another n If the mouse in the story was deaf, how would
18
D iscussion Starter 10
19
Discussion Questions
Raising a child that has a disability is an experi- n What are some of the stereotypes that you
ence Emily Perl Kingsley referred to as similar to have heard about people with disabilities?
planning a trip to Italy but being taken to Hol- These stereotypes dont necessarily have to
land instead. There are differences in the way par- be something you believe, just something
ents feel regarding this subject. Each individuals you may have heard at some point in time.
experience is unique depending on the situation Write down as many as you can. Be open and
and severity of the childs disability. This story is honest; remember to include mental, physi-
a wonderful way to generate dialogue with adults cal, emotional, and developmental disabilities
regarding the topic of physical and mental dis- along with any others.
abilities. n How can a parent prepare to raise a child with
20
D iscussion Starter 11
21
A dditional Resources/References
22
Life Skills Chart
2. The Man and
the Eagle
3. Color Blind
4. Crayons
5. The Crayon
Box That Talked
6. If All the Trees
Were Oaks
7. The Black
Balloon
8. The Cold
Within
9. A Cat & a
Mouse
10. Welcome to
Holland
11. Where Monsters
Can Grow
23
Prepared by Patreese D. Ingram, associate profes-
sor of agricultural and extension education, and
Marney H. Dorsey, masters of science degree
candidate in agricultural and extension educa-
tion. Reviewed by Cindy Arblaster, 4-H/youth
development educator in Westmoreland County,
and Wanda Braymer, 4-H/youth development
educator in Crawford County.