E.B.

EDU 280/SPR 2017

28 February 2017

Final – Multicultural Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Title:

Different is Beautiful

Concept / Topic To Teach:

Diversity/Don’t Generalize (3rd-4th grade social studies, ages 8-10)

General Goal(s):

Teaching diversity; teaching tolerance/acceptance of others’ appearance

Specific Objectives:

Showing students that though we look different, we’re all people with thoughts and

feelings on the inside. Teaching students that it’s okay to be different. Teaching students not to

generalize/stereotype or whitewash.

Required Materials:

Several red apples of varying species; a couple yellow apples; a couple green apples;

large sheet of paper; drawing paper; crayons; tacks; opaque bag.

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In):

Teacher greets students, then say that the class is going to “play a game” to identify

differences and similarities. Teacher says that though things look different, there are similarities

beyond the surface.

Step-By-Step Procedures:

Teacher walks through classroom, pulling a couple of red apples from bag and letting the
students examine them. After class and teacher reflects on how these apples have red skin, label

red the “apple skin color”. Teacher pulls out a couple of more mottled red apples, and asks

students if they are still “apple skin color”. Teacher continues this dialogue with a couple of

yellow apples, and then a couple of green apples, always asking the students if the new colors are

part of the “apple skin color” classification. After listening to all students’ thoughts, teacher

concludes that because they’re all apple skin, there can’t be a “universal apple skin color”.

Segues into a discussion on human skin color, using same principals. Teacher pulls out

various skin color crayons (ranging from black, brown, tan, orange, bronze, golden, brick, and

peach). Teaches class that people have all these kinds of skin colors, so they’re all “skin color” –

there is no singular skin color crayon.

Teacher instructs students to pick crayon that matches them most, then draw a self-

portrait. Discusses how unique and beautiful each color is. When drawings are finished, teacher

hangs them in classroom while students clean up crayons and paper. Teacher hangs banner

reading “Different is Beautiful” amidst the drawings.

Plan For Independent Practice:

Students are instructed to draw a picture of someone in their family, and bring the picture

to class the following week.

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set):

Teacher reminds students that “similar objects may be similar under the surface”, and ask

them what they think that means. Discusses how people can be similar, live in the same place, or

have the same interests regardless of what they look like. Teaches students that you can never

know what’s inside of someone without getting to know them, so we shouldn’t judge people or

make assumptions about them.

Assessment Based On Objectives:

Looking for good listening skills, conversation participation, following instructions, and

bringing a completed picture the following week.

Possible Connections To Other Subjects:

Art; history.