Free Kindergarten Accepting Differences Lesson Plan

Topic: Accepting Differences

Objectives & Outcomes

• Children will be able to identify differences between themselves and their classmates.
• Children will be able to identify things they have in common with other students.
• Children will be able to express empathy for classmates who are different from them.

Materials

• Pictures of different types of people (e.g. male and female, old and young, different races, different sizes)
• Chart paper and markers

Warm-Up

• Show the children a picture of a person who is different from them and ask them to think of a word to describe the person (e.g. "this person is tall, what word would you use to describe them?").
• Have the children take turns sharing their words with the class.
• Ask the children to think of a new word to describe the person in the picture, but this time they should try to be as creative as possible (e.g. "this person is tall, what word would you use to describe them now?").

Direct Instruction

• Ask the children if they know what teasing is and if they have ever done it.
• Explain that teasing is when you say or do something to make someone feel bad about themselves.
• Share the "Stop Teasing" handout with the children and go over each of the behaviors listed, explaining what it means and how it can hurt someone.
• Ask the children to think of a time when they saw someone being teased.
• Role-play a situation where a child is being teased and the rest of the class steps in to help.

Guided Practice

• Divide the children into pairs or small groups.
• Give each group a set of small items such as small toys, construction paper, and markers.
• Ask the children to choose one item to take home and share with their families.
• Ask the children to think of three things they have in common with their group members and write them down on a piece of paper.
• Show the children how to make a Friendship Star out of construction paper, glue, and a hole puncher.
• Have the children make a Friendship Star with their group members and hang it in their classroom or home as a reminder to be kind.

Independent Practice

• Have the children work on a project where they have to work in groups to solve a problem or complete a task.
• Encourage the children to think of three things they have in common with their group members and share them with the group.
• Have the children make a Friendship Star and hang it in their classroom or home as a reminder to be kind.

Closure

• Ask the children to share one thing they learned about finding things they have in common with other students.
• Remind the children that it is important to be kind and supportive of others, especially when they are different.

Assessment: Observe the children during the independent practice, and listen to their conversations to see if they are able to find things they have in common with other students.

• Observe the children during the presentation to see if they are able to correctly explain the importance of being kind and supportive of others.