Stereotype & Prejudice Behavior By: Andrew, Linda, Erica, Allan & Janine

Lesson Plan #1 Objectives For students to experience prejudicial behaviour For students to share how being a recipient of prejudicial behaviour makes them feel For students to share how being a benefactor of prejudicial behaviour makes them feel

Lesson Plan #1 Spelling Bee Divide the class into two sections and have one of the sections place a piece of tape on their forehead or shoulder. Ask the group without the tape easy words to spell Ask the group with the tape harder words to spell Award prizes for correctly spelling words

Lesson Plan #1 Words Cat Happy House Computer Coffee Shoe Poster Courteous Xylophone Vivisection Ventriloquism Resuscitate Montelukast Medieval

Lesson Plan #1 Discussion Could you distinguish the prejudice behavior? How did the group with tape feel knowing the game was unfair? How did they feel that the group without tape was given easier words? How does the class feel that visible minorities cannot remove that difference (tape)? In what aspects of life might visible minorities face prejudicial behaviour?

Lesson Plan #2 Objectives or Learning Outcomes: To dress as members of “outgroups” & observe the reactions & communication that takes place. See how false assumptions or stereotypes can influence people’s attitudes or beliefs. Discuss this as a group & and see what other feel about the same perceptions and how people can be viewed and treated differently from others

Lesson Plan #2 Introduction Our experiences, attitudes and beliefs affect the way we interact with others. But how often do we think about our own biases? How often do we think about how we treat others that are different? By having students dress as members of “outgroups” and interact with people in public, we should be able to observe the communication that takes place and see how stereotyping affects the communication process.

Lesson Plan #2 Keywords Stereotype Outgroup Communication Perception Attitude Reaction

Lesson Plan #2 Material Needed: Clothing for each different “outgroup” Makeup Props

Lesson Plan #2 Directions: Arrange students into groups of 4-5. Get 1 member from each group to dress up while the others observe. Group should decide which “outgroup” to pick. Ex: homeless, goth, nerd, elderly, etc. Dress the person up and remember to portray that person with respect and not mock the person. Each team leave the classroom followed by the group. The group should stay back some distance from the student.

Lesson Plan #2 The student can do one of the following tasks: check out a book at the library ask a student for a quarter for a phone call buy food at a cafeteria ask someone for directions to a building The other members should observe the reactions to the student directly and those around him/her. Look for verbal and nonverbal communication. Return to class

Lesson Plan #3 Assessment When students return to class have them quickly write down their initial perceptions that took place. Ex: How did other students react? Ex: How did general public react? Ex: Would the student be treated differently if he/she looked normal? Ex: Was communication impacted? How So ?

Lesson Plan #2 Then have each group report on what happened during their experiment. Ask the “outgroupers” how they felt. Then have a discussion with all groups: Ex: How can perception lead to false assumptions about people? Ex: How can false perception lead to stereotyping Ex: The ideas of “outgroups” created by stereotyping Ex: The idea of perception as a basic form of communication

Lesson Plan #2 Alternative Approach Students could complete this assignment as a homework assignment as a project. They could do this at a mall or store and report how it felt to be a member of an “outgroup”. Students could do this individually or as a group. Both would require a photo as proof of completion of the assignment.

Lesson Plan #3 Objectives Distinguish stereotyping Distinguish prejudice Distinguish discrimination All which can lead to unfairly blaming of individuals

Lesson Plan #3 Directions: 1. Write the sentences below on the chalkboard. Then have the students identify each statement as an example of stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination. Eighth graders are all immature. We don’t like the eighth graders. Let’s not let the eighth graders participate with us.

Lesson Plan #3 2. Now review the definitions of the terms stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination with the class then have the class provide examples for each. The definitions are: Stereotype is an oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for individual differences. Prejudice is pre-judging, making a decision about a person or group of people without sufficient knowledge. Prejudice is an attitude. Discrimination is the behavior that can follow prejudicial thinking. Discrimination is the denial of justice and fair treatment in many areas.

Lesson Plan #3 3. Once you believe that the students have an understanding of the different terms, show them the statements below and again have them identify each example. I don’t like teenagers. Teenagers aren’t allowed in my store. All teenagers shoplift. 4. After the students have identified each of the statements correctly, add this fourth statement: Teenagers are the reason why prices are so high.

Lesson Plan #3 5. Now ask the students to consider the following questions about the statement, using the following questions: What assumption is being made in this statement? How would anyone know if this information is correct or accurate? What are some possible reasons why the prices might be high? Is it fair to blame teenagers for high prices? Explain what you are thinking. How might this stereotype lead to blaming?

Exercise

Prince Talal of Saudi Arabia

References Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate. (2000). Retrieved on November 23, 2006, from Finlay, Pauline. (2004). An Experiment in Unfair Treatment/Prejudice. Education World. Retrieved November 23, 2006, from world.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson006.shtml. world.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson006.shtml Patcher, Marcie. (2004). Outgroup Experiment Reveals Bias, Stereotyping. Education World. Retrieved November 23, 2006, 1/lesson002.shtml. 1/lesson002.shtml