1. Stereotyping Lesson Plan
Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain
Freeport Middle School

2. The Stereotypes: That is what you need to teach.
Are old and still around
Are already ingrained in students by grade 6
Are aggravated by omission from texts
Are easy to recognize and explain, but difficult to get rid of
Are harmful and hurtful
That is what you need to teach.

3. How do I teach this? The Big Picture - the grabber
All-Cultures Chart - the “it’s all about me”
Stereotype Concept Definition - the goal
Classification - the frame
Examples, examples, examples
Crossing the comfort zone
Learn about NOW in Maine
Do something about it

4. The Big Picture Understanding “Indian” Stereotypes Slide show
Invisible
“Hit them over the head with it.”
Connect feelings to fact.
Confront the consequences.

5. All-Cultures Chart

6. Key Principles Traditional knowledge continues to exist and have value
Self-definition of cultures should be encouraged and respected
Cultural distinctiveness should be accepted and celebrated
Native cultures are not static or frozen in the past, but have always been dynamic and selectively adoptive

7. Concept Definition 1 3 2 4
Alternate activity: What is “Indian”?

8. Classification Frame 4 categories
Specific details for students to “tag” and remember
Practice, practice, practice

9. Examples, examples, examples
Textbooks
Primary sources - letters, speeches, transcripts, cartoons - historical, current
Visual media - TV, film - old and new
Music, lyrics, rhymes
Books - novels, children’s books, handbooks
Artifacts of culture - patterns, toys, kitsch, place names, logos

10. Cross the Comfort Zone Confront the consequences.
Three-folds Quickdraw
Read aloud - Agent’s Report
Response journals
Body voting
Debates
The Four Cards/Slips
Confront the consequences.

11. Learn About NOW News Land Claims Settlement Web sites Interviews
Video from MCSS conference
Hands-on stereotypes

12. Do Something About It Letters Campaigns Keypals Telecommunications
Digital discussions
More…