1. Topic-
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| Understanding Stereotypes |
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2. Content-
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Behavioral Studies
Key Vocabulary-assumption, bias, ethnicity, race and stereotype. |
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3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
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1.Understands various meanings of social group, general implications
of group membership, and different ways that groups function.
2.Understands how the diverse elements that contribute to the development
and transmission of culture (e.g., language, literature, the arts,
traditions, beliefs, values, behavior patterns) function as an integrated
whole. |
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4. Objectives-
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Students will understand the following:
1. Assumptions can lead to stereotypes and unfair judgments about
individuals and groups.
2. Stereotypes and biases affect our lives.
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5. Materials and Aids-
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-Writing paper
-Flip chart and/or large sheets of paper
-Magic markers
-Art supplies (construction paper, scissors, tape, glue, magazines
to cut up, etc.)
-Take Home Activity Sheet: Identifying Stereotypes in the Media (see
printable version)
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6. Procedures/Methods-
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A. Introduction-
| Begin by discussing with students how people often use labels or
categories to describe others and how these labels can be based on
such characteristics as clothing, looks, the way a person talks, or
the groups to which he or she belongs. Explain that categorizing things
or people is a natural human inclination; however, people often make
assumptions about groups of people they don't even know. |
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B. Development-
| Write these major categories onto five separate pieces of flip chart
paper and post these around the room. Give the class 10-15 minutes
to travel to each posted sheet and write down adjectives related to
the category headings. Remind students that they should only add new
descriptions to the list. |
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C. Practice-
| Ask the class to brainstorm categories that are used at school to
group people. Categories could include labels such as "jocks" or "brains."
Write each category the class generates onto the board and then have
students narrow that list down to five major categories. |
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D. Independent Practice-
| Now ask students to help define the word "stereotype." Explain that
when we make assumptions about an entire group of people, those assumptions
are referred to as stereotypes. When assumptions and stereotypes influence
our attitudes, we may find that making a fair judgment about someone
or something is difficult. This influence on judgment is called a
"bias." |
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Checking for understanding-
When they are finished, ask students to take a moment and look at
the adjectives that the class has generated under each group heading.
Use the following questions to lead a discussion about what they recorded:
1.Do assumptions apply to everyone in a group.
2.Do most people hold the same assumptions about a group? Why or why
not?
3.Do assumptions tell us anything definite about a categorized individual?
4.How do assumptions affect your behavior toward others?
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Closure-
| Take another look at the adjectives recorded and hold a class discussion
around the following questions: Do these adjectives describe stereotypes?
How can they be unfair or hurtful? |
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Evaluation-
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| This lesson is designed to affect attitudes and receptiveness to
new ideas, which are learning outcomes unlikely to be measurable by
traditional assessment methods. Teachers should look for students'
willingness to participate, openness to new ideas, and their level
of empathy toward targets of bias and discrimination. It is important
that the basic principles of this lesson"�freedom from bias and stereotypes
and recognizing individuals"�are interwoven into the classroom environment
throughout the year. Changing attitudes around bias requires continual
reinforcement. |
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