What Is Difference?
Guiding Questions:
What does it mean to be different?
What value does difference have in the world?
Decoding:
Choose one of the following quotations and explain in full sentences what it means to you (use your Google Docs account). Below the quotations you will see a sample response to provide you with some direction. Once you have completed your response you will be asked to share it with the class.
Sample:
Andre Lorde's quote, to me, is about the need for everyone to stop comparing themselves to each other. If we can accept that we are great at certain things (and don't need to be great at all things) then we can celebrate other peoples greatness. We are all unique and different from each other. When we think about our abilities we know that every person is good at some things and bad at other things. For example a person may have difficulties writing an essay but that person may also be an excellent public speaker. Understanding difference is really about understanding our own strengths and needs. Once I understand what I am great at and recognize what someone else is great at, we can work together and this collaboration can create amazing things (things that would be impossible as individuals). When we look at each other and see not necessary what separates us, but what makes all part of humanity, only then will we have truly embraced difference and celebrated diversity.
Snowball Activity:
Watch and Listen to the music video (below). Identify one line and one image that "speak to you". Write these down on a piece of paper. Be ready to explain your choices and discuss what you feel the value of difference in the world is.
Think/Pair/Share:
1. What types of difference exist in the world?
2. Create a Venn diagram identifying the elements that make you different from your partner and the elements that make you the same.
2. Why is it essential and necessary that people are different from each other?
4. Why might difference between people be considered negative?
D--DIFFERENT
I--INDIVIDUALS
V--VALUING
E--EACH OTHER
R--REGARDLESS OF
S--SKIN
I--INTELLECT
T--TALENT OR
Y--YEARS
Understanding Your Uniqueness:
Examine the acrostic below. What are your observations about this small poem?
After reviewing the acrostic, it is time that you create your own acrostic. This acrostic can be your name or a word that is meaningful to you. Each letter would then be a concept that represents you.
For example, I might choose the word STRENGTH. For my acrostic I would identify the following phrases that represent me:
S--Smart and
T--Talented Artist, who is a
R--Resourceful,
E--Empathetic,
N--Nurturing, and
G--Giving
T--Teacher and
H--Human
How Will You Represent Your Uniqueness?
Review of the Guiding Questions:
What does it mean to be different?
What value does difference have in the world?
Using the padlet below, Identify...
three important points from the lesson
Something from the lesson that "squares" with your thinking
Something from the lesson that is still "circling" in your head.