1. Abstract
In this lesson the 1st grade students will not only read the book It’s Okay to
be Different and learn new vocabulary, but they will also get a better understanding
about diversity. This class is a very diverse class with white, African American, Asian
and Latino students as well as four kids who suffer from ADHD and one student who
is in a wheelchair. We have had quite a few bullying incidents already this year so I
thought it would be a good idea to go over diversity. Children do not understand
why everyone is different and most parents avoid the subject. First grade is a perfect
time to talk about this topic and I feel like this will really help decrease the numbers
of bullying in the classroom and even outside of the classroom. It is not just inside
the classroom why I want to teach this lesson, but the students can also use this
lesson in the outside world. I want the students who are different to feel
comfortable in their own shoes and not have to worry about being picked on as soon
as they get on the bus to school or walk in the door of the classroom. I say this
lesson is for reading, writing, and art, but my main goal is for the students to
understand that differences between their classmates are okay and not to make fun
of them.
