Purpose of this activity: to identify and evaluate contemporary and historical examples of bias and stereotype and evaluate these practices to identify possibilities for change.
Vocabulary: bias, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination,
Notes for teachers (read prior to lesson): Be prepared to hear some very ugly stereotypes from students. Your role during the following activities is to guide students toward understanding as to the dangers involved in the ideas and assumptions that will be discussed.
If students make stereotypical comments or slurs about particular cultures or groups of people, DO NOT embarrass the student, as this often leads to alienation and withdrawal from ever speaking in class again. Rather, use this as a teachable moment to engage all learners in how stereotyping and bias are one way in which oppression works through each of us to, for example, instill, maintain oppressive systems and structures. In other words, the the use of discriminatory and oppressive language serves to reinforce stereotypes, bias, and other types of oppression.
TAKE TEST: http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias
Keep them focused on defining the word while reminding these "words" represent pain and hurt that continue to be inflicted on individuals and communities. The idea here is to use this learning experience as an opportunity to reflect on these painful and hurtful experiences to help us imagine and create possibilities that value and respect ALL people.
Description Students will identify common examples and practices of prejudice, bias, and stereotype and using a word wall to document examples that students identify. After word wall is filled, students will write descriptions of their experiences with at least two of the listed examples. They will share these with each other to identify commonalities and similarities to recommend next steps for their own growth and learning.
Step 1: As a warm-up, discuss the following as a class:
Step 2: Review the following videos using Cornell Notes to document relevant information.
Subconscious racial bias in children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbvBJULVnc
The effects of Prejudice and Discrimination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AtRk4tx13k
Step 3: In groups of 2 or 3, groups will chose a particular targeted group and list some stereotypes commonly associated with this group. Next, the group will identify some of impacts of these stereotypes.
Step 4: Using the chart below, are listed a some target groups, or groups that have historically been oppressed or disadvantaged. Think of at least two common stereotypical examples or stereotypical misconceptions about each group and complete the thoughts for each. Last, list some possible actions that you can take to address these impacts and misconceptions.
Click here to access the Common Stereotype chart.
Step 5 Think of other target groups, both in your home country and globally, and include common stereotypical examples or stereotypical perceptions of these groups as well.
Step 6 In small groups, discuss and document answers to the the following questions (click here for questionnaire).
Step 7 Share your responses to the above with the other groups and document any common themes across the groups.
Step 8 Take five minutes to free write what you learned from this learning activity and how this new information is challenging you to think and act differently toward others.
Step 9 Share your thoughts with at least two peers.
References:
Beebs272 (n.d.). The effects of Prejudice and Discrimination. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AtRk4tx13k
CNN (April 6, 2012). Subconscious racial bias in children. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbvBJULVnc
http://www.springsteenlyrics.com/lyrics/a/americanskin.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w6d7Skpxe8
Vocabulary: bias, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination,
Notes for teachers (read prior to lesson): Be prepared to hear some very ugly stereotypes from students. Your role during the following activities is to guide students toward understanding as to the dangers involved in the ideas and assumptions that will be discussed.
If students make stereotypical comments or slurs about particular cultures or groups of people, DO NOT embarrass the student, as this often leads to alienation and withdrawal from ever speaking in class again. Rather, use this as a teachable moment to engage all learners in how stereotyping and bias are one way in which oppression works through each of us to, for example, instill, maintain oppressive systems and structures. In other words, the the use of discriminatory and oppressive language serves to reinforce stereotypes, bias, and other types of oppression.
TAKE TEST: http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias
Keep them focused on defining the word while reminding these "words" represent pain and hurt that continue to be inflicted on individuals and communities. The idea here is to use this learning experience as an opportunity to reflect on these painful and hurtful experiences to help us imagine and create possibilities that value and respect ALL people.
Description Students will identify common examples and practices of prejudice, bias, and stereotype and using a word wall to document examples that students identify. After word wall is filled, students will write descriptions of their experiences with at least two of the listed examples. They will share these with each other to identify commonalities and similarities to recommend next steps for their own growth and learning.
Step 1: As a warm-up, discuss the following as a class:
- What is a stereotype?
- What groups in society are often the target of stereotyping?
- What are some of the impacts of stereotypes on individuals and on groups?
- How can we disrupt these acts of violence?
Step 2: Review the following videos using Cornell Notes to document relevant information.
Subconscious racial bias in children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbvBJULVnc
The effects of Prejudice and Discrimination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AtRk4tx13k
Step 3: In groups of 2 or 3, groups will chose a particular targeted group and list some stereotypes commonly associated with this group. Next, the group will identify some of impacts of these stereotypes.
Step 4: Using the chart below, are listed a some target groups, or groups that have historically been oppressed or disadvantaged. Think of at least two common stereotypical examples or stereotypical misconceptions about each group and complete the thoughts for each. Last, list some possible actions that you can take to address these impacts and misconceptions.
Click here to access the Common Stereotype chart.
Step 5 Think of other target groups, both in your home country and globally, and include common stereotypical examples or stereotypical perceptions of these groups as well.
Step 6 In small groups, discuss and document answers to the the following questions (click here for questionnaire).
- What purpose do stereotypes about those who are "different" from acceptable cultural and social "norms"serve? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_(social)
- What do you think is the root cause of these beliefs about historically oppressed groups?
- What are some of the impacts or "effects" of stereotypes?
- What are some other larger consequences that stereotypes of target groups could lead to?
- How might we begin to counter these assumptions and beliefs? In other words, what can we do now?
Step 7 Share your responses to the above with the other groups and document any common themes across the groups.
Step 8 Take five minutes to free write what you learned from this learning activity and how this new information is challenging you to think and act differently toward others.
Step 9 Share your thoughts with at least two peers.
References:
Beebs272 (n.d.). The effects of Prejudice and Discrimination. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AtRk4tx13k
CNN (April 6, 2012). Subconscious racial bias in children. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbvBJULVnc
http://www.springsteenlyrics.com/lyrics/a/americanskin.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w6d7Skpxe8