II. Lesson Plan and Activities
Introductory Lesson: Challenging Stereotypes
Launch the project with an activity to uncover stereotyping, a pattern of thought that often serves as a
substitute for thinking. This initial activity is an effective way to “unsettle” students minds and open them to
the multiple perspectives they will be exposed to in the Rainforest ArtLink.
Activity
1. Preparation
2. Launch
Description and Important Points
a. Before students arrive, on flash cards, or simply on the black or
white board, write and/or post the following:
• Harry Skinner, a cab driver
• Marsha Truce, a Red Cross volunteer
• Freddy Brown, an eighth-grade “A” student on the
debate team
• Abigail Watson, a senior citizen
As students arrive, start a class discussion with the following
questions:
• What is a stereotype? (An image of a group of people
that labels every member of that group with the same
characteristics)
• Do all people have stereotypes? (Yes, as far as we know)
• List all the circumstances you can think of where
stereotyping would be harmful
b. Ask students to imagine that there will be a celebration and
they are given the task of buying a present for each of the listed
people. Which of the following gifts would they choose for
each? Write on the board the final group decision for each
individual listed:
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a.
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3. Analyzing
Materials
A desk dictionary
A rocking chair
Two tickets to the opera
A pair of skis
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A leather jacket
A makeup kit
A new IPHONE
A first-aid kit
a. Analyze with students. Did they choose:
• The leather jacket for Harry because that's what a cab
driver would wear?
• A first-aid kit for Marsha because it may come in handy
the next time she helps out in an emergency?
• The desk dictionary for Freddy because he can use it to
help with his studies?
• The rocking chair for Abigail because she probably
doesn't get out much, and she can use it to watch TV or
watch the birds out the window?
b. These may be the "usual" choices, but the people on our list are
all individuals. They don't fit in the neat categories.
• Harry is a theater major at the local university. He drives
the cab to make money for school. He would love the
opera tickets because wants to be an opera singer.
• Marsha is 16 years old and wants to listen music in her
new IPHONE while volunteering at the Red Cross office.
She doesn't need a first-aid kit to file paperwork.
• Freddy just started working on a hip hop dance routine
for the school talent show. He needs a makeup kit to
put on his stage makeup, but doesn't need a new
dictionary.
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2019 Rainforest ArtLink Program “Heritage”
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