The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time. Students and teachers arrive full of dreams, goals and enthusiasm. There are the prospects of new friends, interesting learning and becoming part of a new community. It is also a chance for a fresh start.
At the same time, it can be a time for a certain amount of anxiety. Many children worry about how peers will perceive them and whether they will fit in. A very common response is to try to hide or minimize whatever makes them feel “different.”
These lessons seek to help students understand that difference and diversity are to be celebrated, not hidden. They set the stage for a school year filled with mutual understanding and a real sense of the strengths of the classroom community.
This classroom activity was designed in support of the Mix It Up program. For additional activity ideas, visit www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/activity [1].
Professional Development
For other ways to help students get to know each other and build a strong community, see Getting To Know Each Other [2] and The Gift of Community [3].
Visit Kindness: The Foundation of Service-Learning [4] for a lesson on the importance of small acts of kindness.
PRIMARY GRADES [5] (K-2)
ELEMENTARY GRADES [6] (3-5)
Standards
Activities and embedded assessments address the following standards: (McREL 4th [7] [7]edition [7])
Language Arts
Standard 1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
Standard 5. Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process.
Standard 6. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts.
Standard 8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
Visual Arts
Standard 1. Understands and applies media, techniques and processes related to the visual arts.
Standard 5. Understands the characteristics and merits of one’s own artwork and the artwork of others.
Working With Others
Standard 1. Contributes to the overall effort of a group.
Standard 3. Works well with diverse individuals and in diverse situations.
Standard 4. Displays effective interpersonal communication skills.
Links:
[1] http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/activity
[2] http://www.tolerance.org/activity/getting-know-each-other
[3] http://www.tolerance.org/activity/gift-community
[4] http://www.tolerance.org/activity/kindness-foundation-service-learning
[5] http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/its-okay-feel-different-primary-grades-k-2
[6] http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/its-okay-feel-different-elementary-grades-3-5
[7] http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp