Equality in your Classrooms!

Activities to increase

 within your classroom….

Equality= Everyone treated the same regardless of characteristics. Being equalàstatus, rights, & opportunities!

v  Possible Read Alouds: Smokey Night by Eve Bunting, Sneetches by Dr. Seuss, Choosing Up Sides by John H. Ritter, Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Cole, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, Iggie’s House by Judy Blume, What Is Love? By Etan Boritzer, Equal Shmequal by Virginia L. Kroll, Why? By Nikolai Popov, If We Could Change The Change: Young People and America’s Struggle For Equality by Rebecca De Schweinitz, Mama Went to Jail for the Vote by Kathleen Karr.
 

v  Ideas of People in History to Study: Nelson Mandela, Susan B. Anthony, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Frederick Douglas, Ida B. Wells, Bobby Seal, Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Corrie ten Boom, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Paul Rusesabagina, Meena Keshwar Kamal, Edie Windsor.

v  Have students debate different philosophical statements on equality ex. “We are all born equal but our opportunities are shaped by prejudice and discrimination.”

v  Role play different scenarios where one child has to identify the inequality and unfairness in the situation and then problem solve how they respond.

v  Math Games on “Equality.”

v  Invite Peer Mediators to come in and talk with your class.

v  Write and recite speeches or poems on equality, have a speech or poetry contest with your classroom or grade.

v  Host an Open Mic for your class where students prepare and present thoughts & ideas on equality.

v  Discuss this great article with your students around equality & have your students debate: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24prom-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

v  Choose a random set of half of your class to be “star students” and give them special privileges (computer time, stretch out on carpet, preferential seating, etc.) while the others have to do un-pleasurable tasks. After tensions heat up slightly, bring the class together and have a discussion around equality, including discussing what made one student “better” than the other in order to receive special privileges and more importantly-how did it feel to be on both sides.

v  Two Boxes: Decorate two boxes, one beautifully decorated and another poorly decorated.  In the “beautiful” box place garbage of some sort and in the “poorly” decorated box place a treat.  Ask the students, “I have these two beautiful gifts-which one would you want & why?” After you open it, ask the same question again.  Theme of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” (Thanks Ms. Roman for this idea!)

v  “Fear In A Hat:”Pass a hat around the room, and ask the students to write down a fear they have in regards to either themselves or someone in society not being treated “equal,” fold up the paper and place it in the hat.  One at a time, the children will choose a written fear, read it aloud, and discuss how the person with the fear might feel.

v  Equality Rap: Have students analyze the lyrics to the Black Eyed Peas “Where’s the Love?” Also have each student create one line on equality to formulate a class rap/song.

v  Opportunities for Field Trips in NYC: Museum of Tolerance, Islamic Center at NYU, Museum of City of NY: Activist Exhibit

v  Other helpful links: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/