Lesson Plan: Positive Racial Identity Development in the Early Years
Subject: Positive Racial Identity Development: Hair & Skin
Age Group: Preschool (3-5 years)
Duration: 30 minutes
Alignment: Pennsylvania Cultural Competencies and Anti-Bias Education Goals
Learning Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify and appreciate differences in hair and skin types, using new vocabulary, and demonstrate respect for diversity by sharing positive observations about themselves and others.
Materials:
Diverse dolls or figurines with varying hair textures and skin tones.
Books: "I Love My Hair" by Natasha A Tarpley or "Happy in Our Skin" by Fran Manushkin.
Small mirrors for each student.
Large chart paper and markers.
Vocabulary cards with words such as "curly," "straight," "smooth," "bumpy," "light," "dark," "beautiful," "unique."
Lesson Outline:
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
Begin with a song or rhyme: "We are all special, you and me; let’s celebrate who we’re meant to be."
Show diverse dolls or figurines and ask: "What do you notice about their hair and skin?" Encourage descriptive answers.
Introduce key vocabulary using the cards and repeat them together as a group.
2. Storytime (10 minutes)
Read "I Love My Hair" or "Happy in Our Skin."
Pause during reading to ask questions like:
"What do you see in the pictures?"
"How do you think these children feel about their hair or skin?"
Use mirrors to have students observe their own hair and skin.
Ask: "What do you see that makes you unique?"
3. Discussion and Activity (10 minutes)
Create a "We’re All Special" Chart:
Draw a chart with two columns: "Hair" and "Skin."
Have each child describe something about their hair or skin to add to the chart.
Critical Thinking Questions:
"Why do you think people have different types of hair and skin?"
"How can we make sure everyone feels good about their hair and skin?"
Emphasize how differences make us special and wonderful.
4. Closure (5 minutes)
Recap key points: "We all have beautiful hair and skin that make us who we are."
Encourage children to share something they like about themselves or a friend.
End with the song/rhyme: "We are all special, you and me; let’s celebrate who we’re meant to be."
Assessment (Measurable Objective):
Observe students during the discussion to ensure they use at least two new vocabulary words.
Check participation in the "We’re All Special" Chart activity.
Listen for respectful and positive language when discussing differences.
Extensions:
Create a classroom photo collage highlighting each child’s unique features.
Plan a follow-up activity using art to explore self-portraits with diverse materials for hair and skin tones.
This lesson encourages critical thinking, new vocabulary acquisition, and appreciation for diversity while aligning with anti-bias education goals.
1. Questions to Encourage Critical Thinking:
o Expand the questions during storytime to include prompts like:
§ "Why do you think people have different types of hair and skin?"
§ "What would it feel like if everyone looked the same?"
§ "How can we celebrate the ways we are all unique?"
2. Measuring Learning:
o Document students' use of new vocabulary during the discussion. This could be done with a simple checklist or by jotting down notes about which words each student uses.