Stereotypes in Action

Today was day two of the Positive Addictions Week! I did four team teaching sessions with our FCS educator. We talked about Sterotyping and how it affects everyday life.

First we put up different stereotypes on the large sticky paper and had each student take a marker and write the first thing that came to mind. (ie: Farmer would be hillbilly, corn, tractor and so forth). We had about 8 different stereotypes. We then talked about each of them, and the words used. It was a good opportunity to talk about making negative things, positive.

Next, I had the group break up into smaller groups of either three or four. The groups then were asked to make a circle and join hands. I names off characteristics that either they determine as alike or different. If they are different they must take a step away from the group. I named off characteristics until the group was stretched very far or in some cases could no longer join hands with one another. I talked about how each person is unique and different. Then (usually after much pleading and giggling) I start making the groups come back together until they are as closeas they can get. This allows them to see that they do have many things in common with one another even if they are different. I asked them how it made them feel to be stretched, and then close together.

Finally, Nancy talked about where stereotypes come from, and how. To process the information, the students each listed one thing that was unique, and one thing that was different on a small sheet of paper that was then linked with all the other students in a paper chain. The chain will be hung in the classroom that all the students have (at one time of the day or another) to remind that they are all unique, but they are also very similar to everyone around them.