60 minute workshop with 2nd and 3rd grade students. In some ways, sameness is great - we have same hobbies, we go to the same school, etc. But in what ways does sameness get us into trouble? How does sameness lead to stereotypes, bullying, and other things we don't want to see in the world?

1. The Trouble with Sameness
Montclair Kimberley Academy

2. Picture a…
Close your eyes and quickly visualize what comes
to mind when you think of the following:
• Family • Basketball Player
• Police Officer • Singer
• House Cleaner • Model
• Fire Fighter • Criminal
• Babysitter/Nanny • Dancer
• Mechanic • Construction Worker
• Doctor • Lawyer
• Teacher • Receptionist
• Garbage Picker-Upper • Postal Worker
• Scientist • Nurse

3. Let’s compare!
• What similarities do you see?
• Are there people who can be called these
terms but DON’T look like the pictures?
What do these people have in common?
• Why do you think most of us thought of the
same kinds of people?
• If you were an alien and saw ONLY these
images in our heads, what would you
believe to be to be true about humans?

4. Details, Details
• Turn to nearby neighbors and talk about all
the things you have been told, what you
have seen, or what you have read about
what “perfect” girls are, what they like, what
they don’t like, what activities do they do,
what they wear, what they become when
they grow up, etc.

5. Details, Details
• Turn to nearby neighbors and talk about all
the things you have been told, what you
have seen, or what you have read about
what “perfect” boys are, what they like, what
they don’t like, what activities do they
do, what they wear, what they become
when they grow up, etc.

6. How Did We Get There
From Here?

7. How Do We Do It To Ourselves?

8. How Do We Do It To Ourselves?

9. How Do We Stop It?

10. How Will I Be an Ally?
• Turn to nearby neighbors and brainstorm
ways to not force boys and girls to be what
stereotypes tell them to be. If someone
else is pressuring people, what could you
say?

11. Have a Great Day!