Grade 6 “Promoting Respect” Workshop Greater Mankato Diversity Council

Introduction And you Instructions: Each facilitator should try to mention something relevant to the topic of the lesson as part of their introduction. Facilitator A - Re-introduce the GMDC and remind students of the activity completed in 5th grade (True colors) Facilitator B - Introduce self. Ask students to introduce themselves---name and XXXX something relevant to this grade topic.

Activity 1: Definitions Diversity?   Ask students 1) to define diversity 2) examples of diversity You could mentions how diverse students’ heritage were from introduction. Simple definition: Differences

= Stereotype? Activity 1: Definitions Instructions: Ask students to: 1) define the word, 2) give some examples Example: all tall black persons are basketball players. All Asians eat rice. Definition : generalization of the entire group based on one person or small number of the people

Prejudice? Pre judice Before judging Activity 1: Definitions Instructions: Definitions Ask students to: 1) define prejudice and 2) give some examples e.g., thinking that kids with expensive shoes will make better friends than kids who have old, cheaper shoes.  Definition: Pre-judging -- Judging people based on superficial information without knowing them; thought -- not action. Before judging

Discrimination Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination In your brain Take action Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination Activity 1: Definitions   Instructions: Ask students to: 1) define discrimination and 2) give some examples Discrimination: Action (non-action) based on bias, stereotype or prejudice

Activity 1: Definitions Racism Ask students to 1) to define racism and give examples For example, last year in fifth grade we showed a video called True Colors about a black man and white man who were treated differently when they looked for a car and job in St. Louis. Discrimination based on race –belief that one race is better than other races

Activity 1: Definitions Natives Your Country Ask students who are natives. People who have been living in the area from the beginning…they never moved to live there. In the United States, Native Americans are the only true natives. In boarder sense, people who are born in the US can be called natives. If you are born and raised in Minnesota, you can be called native Minnesotan. We know from our study of Minnesota, that the first people in the Mankato area were Native American people. You are born there and live there

Activity 1: Definitions Immigrants You wanted to move to the new country Immigrant An immigrant is a person born in another country who has been admitted to live permanently in the United States. Most of our ancestors came here as immigrants. As we went around the room with introductions, we found a lot of diversity in our classroom.” Your old country Your new country

Activity 1: Definitions Refugees You had to escape to the new country Introduce the concept of refugees. Refugee A refugee is a person outside of the United States who seeks protection from persecution or fear of persecution in his or her homeland. Refugees often have lost all possessions, and they may have lived in refugee camps before coming here. Define refugee and explain that our country has a history of welcoming “the oppressed” from other countries. Refugee camp Your old country Your new country

Activity 2: Video Living together Cultural Change in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties Objectives Students will be able to discuss similarities and differences in the sixth graders featured in the video. Students will be able to identify ways that young people can be accepting and welcoming to other students, even if they have a different color or heritage. Students will be able to identify appropriate approaches for addressing racism and discrimination. Video introduction Think about how the definitions we just talked about relate to the history of the Mankato area. Our community has not been free from discrimination. In this video, we will meet sixth graders just like you whose families all came to Mankato to build their families and their community. Whether or not our ancestors arrived here in 1850, 1900, 2000, or just this year, everyone deserves a chance to be part of America and part of Mankato.

Activity 2: Video Living together Cultural Change in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties What do you think of the video? What was surprising to you? Have you ever been in a situation where you joined a new club or sport and didn’t know the other kids? Can you describe what it felt like? In a small sense, it is like being an immigrant. Turn to your partner and share a time when you were the new kid in school or in an activity. What did it feel like? Who helped make you feel comfortable? How did they do that?”

Activity 2: Video Living together Cultural Change in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties Where are they all from?  What are some of the differences that make the students interesting? What do they say we should be proud of? What do you notice about the students’ morning routines as they come to school?   What examples of prejudice and stereotyping do the students talk about in the video? Why does diversity and welcoming new people make a community stronger? At the beginning of the video, the sixth graders introduce themselves. Where are they all from? They all live in Mankato.   What are some of the differences that make the students interesting? Different dress, head gear, color of skin, eyes, hair. The students say that we should be proud. What do they say we should be proud of? Be proud of who you are. Be proud of where you came from. What do you notice about the students’ morning routines as they come to school? They are pretty much the same. What examples of prejudice and stereotyping do the students talk about in the video? Being teased about ears, bad jokes, fear of being made fun of. Why does diversity and welcoming new people make a community stronger? Like the rope, many strings braided together make a stronger rope. People have different foods, customs, and skills. Immigrants want to work hard and make their new community better. They bring different outlooks and ideas.

Closing Can you think of one thing you can do to make people feel accepted in our community? Sixth graders can make a difference! Ask students what they can do

Your Feedback is important! 1= Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3=Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree Today I learned more about the word discrimination. I learned that most people in the Mankato area have ancestors or relatives who came from other places. I can think of ways to reduce discrimination. I know more about what diversity means. Watch time. One facilitator (or ask teacher’s help) to distribute the students feedback sheets. Explain 1, 2, 3, 4 Read questions Ask for any comments at the bottom. Please write any comments on this presentation at the bottom of the sheet.

Thank you!