Teachers
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Day 3: Learning About Famous Figures
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Understanding Diversity and Inclusivity: Activities that highlight the importance of diversity and teach students about different cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives. This can include cultural exchange days, storytelling sessions featuring diverse characters, and discussions about famous individuals who have overcome prejudice.
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Empathy Building: Use role-playing scenarios where students must put themselves in someone else's shoes, experiencing how it feels to be bullied or marginalized.
Morning Session: Research and Presentation
Video References
Activity
Students research and present on famous individuals from diverse backgrounds who have overcome prejudice.
For Day 3's "Learning About Famous Figures" morning session, where students research and present on famous individuals from diverse backgrounds who have overcome prejudice, here is a structured checklist to guide the research and presentation process:
Research Phase Checklist:
1. Selection of Figure:
- Choose a notable figure from a diverse background.
- Ensure the individual has a story of overcoming prejudice.
2. Authentic Sources:
- Look for credible sources of information (biographies, documentaries, academic articles).
- Check multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
3. Biographical Overview:
- Compile basic information: birthplace, background, and key life events.
- Understand the time period and cultural context in which the person lived.
4. Challenges Faced:
- Identify the specific prejudices or barriers the individual faced.
- Look into how these challenges were related to their background.
5. Overcoming Prejudice:
- Research how the person addressed and overcame these challenges.
- Gather information on any support they had or movements they were part of.
6. Impact and Contributions:
- Determine how overcoming prejudice allowed them to contribute to their field or society.
- Highlight awards, recognitions, or lasting impacts they had.
7. Lessons Learned:
- Reflect on what lessons can be learned from their experiences.
- Consider how their journey can inspire others.
8. Visual Aids:
- Prepare visual aids (photos, timelines, quotes) to enhance the presentation.
- Ensure that all visuals are respectful and appropriate.
Presentation Phase Checklist:
1. Introduction:
- Start with an engaging introduction to pique interest.
- Provide a brief synopsis of who the figure is.
2. Narrative Flow:
- Ensure your presentation has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Narrate the person's journey in a compelling way.
3. Cultural Context:
- Include relevant cultural and historical context.
- Explain how this context shaped the figure’s experiences.
4. Highlighting Struggle and Triumph:
- Clearly define the struggles they faced and how they overcame them.
- Emphasize moments of triumph and their significance.
5. Personal Connection:
- Share any personal resonance or connection with the figure’s story.
- Encourage classmates to reflect on their own experiences.
6. Interactive Element:
- Include a question or activity for classmates to engage with the material.
- Consider using multimedia, reenactments, or interactive timelines.
7. Closing Thoughts:
- Conclude with the figure’s legacy and why their story is important today.
- Highlight how their journey contributes to a broader understanding of diversity and perseverance.
8. Feedback and Reflection:
- Open the floor to questions and comments from peers and teachers.
- Reflect on what you learned from researching and presenting.
Examples of Famous Figures to Research:
1.Rosa Parks:
-Civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus became a symbol of the fight against racial injustice.
- Split, Please! 15 | American Express (youtube.com)
2.Malala Yousafzai:
-Advocate for girls' education who survived an assassination attempt and became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
3.Alan Turing:
-Mathematician and codebreaker who faced prejudice due to his sexuality, despite his contributions during WWII.
4.Frida Kahlo: Mexican painter known for her unique art and overcoming physical disabilities and societal norms.
5.Stephen Hawking:
-Theoretical physicist who made profound contributions to science while living with a motor neuron disease.
6.Cesar Chavez:
-Labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers association.
Encourage students to be thoughtful and respectful in their research and presentations, and to consider the lasting impact these individuals have had on society. The goal is to inspire and educate peers about the strength it takes to overcome adversity and the importance of diversity in shaping our world.
Discussion
What challenges did these individuals face? How did they contribute to their field or society?
To discuss the challenges faced by these individuals and their contributions, consider the following checklist:
1. Identify the Major Obstacles:
What specific prejudices or societal norms did they challenge?
2. Strategies for Overcoming Challenges:
How did they tackle these obstacles? Did they initiate movements, create awareness, or innovate within their field?
3. Contributions to Their Field:
What groundbreaking work or achievements did they accomplish?
4. Impact on Society:
How did their actions or discoveries change societal views, laws, or the field they were in?
5. Legacy and Continued Influence:
What lasting effects have their contributions had on current generations and their respective fields?
This framework will guide a focused discussion on their profound impacts and enduring legacies.
Afternoon Session: Reflective Journaling
Activity
Students write about how the stories of these individuals inspire them to act inclusively.
When guiding students to write about how the stories of inspiring individuals motivate them to act inclusively, use this checklist to facilitate their thinking and writing process:
1. Understanding Inspiration:
- Reflect on the key aspects of the individuals’ stories that you find most inspiring.
- Consider how their actions and values align with the principles of inclusivity.
2. Personal Connection:
- Identify any personal experiences or feelings that resonate with these stories.
- Write about how these connections have influenced your view of inclusivity.
3. Inclusivity in Action:
- Describe specific actions you can take to be more inclusive in your daily life.
- Think about how you can apply lessons from these individuals to your interactions with others.
4. Broader Impact:
- Discuss how inclusive actions can make a positive impact in your community or school.
- Contemplate the ripple effects of inclusive behavior on a larger scale.
5. Challenges to Inclusivity:
- Acknowledge any barriers to acting inclusively that you might face.
- Outline strategies for overcoming these challenges.
6. Commitment to Inclusivity:
- Make a personal pledge or set goals for how you will practice inclusivity.
- Think about how you can encourage others to join you in this commitment.
7. Reflection:
- Reflect on what inclusivity means to you after learning about these individuals.
- Consider how embracing diversity can enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
8. Sharing Your Story:
- Share your written piece with classmates or in a group discussion.
- Listen to others’ stories and reflect on the diverse perspectives presented.
This activity is designed to not only deepen students' understanding of inclusivity but also to empower them to become advocates for change in their own circles.
Discussion
Share reflections and discuss ways to support inclusivity in daily life.
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