Lesson: Appreciating Racial Identities
This lesson plan and accompanying activity are designed to be taught after showing the jsk stories racial diversity presentation. Feel free to change, adjust, and customize these plans according to your classroom or circumstance. The lesson and activity go well together, but can be split into two days.
Concept 1 – We need diversity!
- Discuss: Imagine a world with absolutely no diversity. How would that feel?
- Diversity is what sets us apart from others and makes up our identity.
- We should never judge others who are different from us.
Concept 2 – Identity is who we are.
- Discuss: Why is identity important?
- Knowing the specific names and acronyms for different racial groups is part of acknowledging identity. If you are curious about someone’s background or ethnicity, you can ask.
- An appropriate way to ask would be like this: “What is your ethnicity?”
- We should always refer to people by how they want to be identified. This should not just be in our words alone, but in our thoughts and actions, as well. Sometimes we may make a mistake, and that’s okay! A sincere apology and correction is all that is needed. As long as we are actively trying our best to refer to racial groups correctly, we are doing our part to make identity important.
- Knowing the specific names and acronyms for different racial groups is part of acknowledging identity. If you are curious about someone’s background or ethnicity, you can ask.
Concept 3 – Showing appreciation creates more understanding.
- Discuss: What are ways we can have more appreciation for different races and cultures?
- Knowledge is power. That means that the more we know, the more opportunities we have to meet new people, learn new things, and have a greater understanding.
- Talk with BIPOC friends and peers about their experiences. Showing interest in others creates trust and friendship. Never ask others questions that could make them feel uncomfortable.
- An appropriate way to talk about race and culture could sound like this: “You mentioned that you are from the Navajo Nation. That’s so awesome! Do you mind telling me a bit about your culture?”
Activity: Racial Diversity Flag
Materials needed:
- Scratch paper for preliminary ideas
- 8 in. by 10 in. cardstock or poster board
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Long popsicle sticks
- Tape
Group the students into pairs or trios. Give them the materials (listed above) and instruct them to do the following:
As a group, create a flag design that represents racial diversity.
Use scratch paper to brainstorm your ideas and then execute your final product on the cardstock by using crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
Flip your flag over and tape the popsicle stick to the bottom right corner (this acts as the flagpole).
Finally, write down what each aspect of the flag represents. Maybe you have a globe on your flag that represents worldwide diversity? Perhaps you use all the colors of the rainbow to represent every race? Think outside of the box! There are no wrong ways to interpret this.
Be sure to write each student’s name on that document and on the back of the final flag.
After the students have completed the activity, invite each group to present their flags to the class.