Activity:
Lesson Length:
Two activities; approximately 15-20 minutes each; 30-40 minutes total
Activity 1:
Use the "First Thought, Last Thought Slideshow" to introduce students to the idea of first thought and last thought and to take them through this lesson "I Am Not Just A."
(Slide 13) Have students jot down words on a piece of notebook paper they think others would easily use to describe their identity. (Examples: girl, boy, teenager, etc. Discuss how this might be how others "see" them.)
Finally, have students make a new list with other words that describe their identity that aren’t as easy for others to see at first glance. These traits are learned over time as others get to know them. (Slide 14) Have students share their ideas lists using the Mingle, Pair, Share strategy.
Post the signs, in the classroom, as a visual reminder to be careful of stereotypes and think about one's first thought/last thought.
Activity 2:
Using the lists from the previous activity, have students use the Moment of Silence strategy to think about the first thought someone might have about them when they first meet and what defines them as people as they get to know them better.
Students should go through their lists to identify the easy-to-see and more difficult-to-see parts of their identity, noting the ones from each list that most closely resonates with them.
(Slide 15) Remind students that sometimes people use stereotypes when creating a first thought about a person. As we get to know one another more, we recognize that our first thought does not always match our last thought.
(Slide 16) Have students fill out the "I Am Not Just A… Metasheet".
After ample time, ask students to share using the Stand and Deliver strategy. Be
sure to use the Show Some Love strategy for the volunteers.
Post the signs in the classroom as a visual reminder to be careful of first thoughts and go through gathering more information before making the last thought.
Common Core Standards:
3.SL.1 ( Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. )
4.SL.1 ( Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. )
5.SL.1 ( Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. )