#3801. We Are Unique

Social Studies, level: all
Posted Sun Aug 13 18:00:55 PDT 2006 by Mindy Pack (mpackin@yahoo.com).
Rhoades Elementary, Indianapolis, USA
Materials Required: Chart Paper, Index Cards, and Markers
Activity Time: 60-75 minuts
Concepts Taught: Learning about Unique Physical Characteristics

We Are Unique
Adapted from a lesson plan in the Anti Bias Study Guide

For younger students, this lesson would need to be completed over a few days.

Objective:
ļ Students will identify their own unique characteristics.
ļ Students will identify ways that all living things grow and change.

Materials:
ļ Chalkboard or Chart paper
ļ Markers
ļ Index Cards

Vocabulary:
Unique, characteristic

Procedures:
1. Begin by identifying the characteristics of objects around the room.
i.e.: Look at this chair. If I was going to tell you about this chair, I would have to describe it. I would say it was small, has four legs, and is blue. Now you look at the table. How would we describe the table?

Modification: Have students work in small groups to describe objects around the room. Place students with limited English in groups of peers who can communicate with them. Give students who need help with vocabulary cards with words and pictures of description words.

2. Have students share their descriptions of their objects.
3. Tell students that they are now going to describe their own physical characteristics. Ask them to pretend they are going to meet someone they have never met before on the playground or in the cafeteria. Have them think about how they would describe themselves to that person so they would know how to find them.
4. Model how you would describe yourself using the following chart.
Hair Color Hair texture
Skin Color Eye Color

For more advanced students:
Eye Shape Nose Shape
Body Shape Ear Shape
Birthmarks, Freckles
For ENL students:
Hand out picture cards with words

5. Have students make their own lists either by writing or drawing their own pictures on an index card.
6. Using the ¡§I spy¡¨ technique, teacher will read each students card allowing students to guess who is being described.
7. Have a whole-group discussion about physical characteristics using some of the following questions:
ƒº Was everyone¡¦s description exactly the same?
ļ Is there ever a time when people can have the exact same physical description? If so, when?
ļ In what ways were some of the descriptions different?
ļ Did some of the physical characteristics fall into the same general category, but still show differences?
ļ How do people get their physical characteristics?
ļ Do you think that everyone in this class is unique in the way that he or she looks?
ļ What other things in nature grow and change?
8. Brainstorm a list of things they could do to help things that they will need to do in order to grow and change in healthy ways. List on chart paper.

Modification: Have students work in small groups to develop a list of things that all children need in order to grow and change in healthy ways. Give students who may need help with vocabulary cards with words and pictures.