Discussing Race
Lesson 1: Similarities and Differences
Lesson Goals
- Notice different skin tones
- Establish vocabulary for discussing skin tones
- Learn why skin is different
Lesson Description
Use the illustration “At the Playground” to spark conversations about skin tone, the many ways people are both the same as and different from one another, and “get to know” children who are different from us.
Lesson Plan: Similarities & Differences
Play "Us Time" Song
Review Agreements
Discussion: On The Playground
Activity: Skin Color Matching
Activity: Tell a Story
Closing Discussion: Similarities & Differences
Thank You: Share the Us Time Closing Song
What You'll Need
Skin tone markers, crayons, or paper
Large paper or board for documenting students’ ideas
“Us Time” song
“Celebrate Our Difference” by Oh, Hush!, Grayson DeWolfe, and Mattrik from the Big Heart Beats Album.
“Thank You” goodbye song
Lesson Quick Links
- “Us Time” song
- “Dance Your Feelings” song
- “How You Feel” Song
- “Thank You” goodbye song
Family Engagement Materials
From this lesson, you can share:
- “Us Time” song
- Discussing Race with Young Children: A Step-By-Step Activity Guide
- “Celebrate Our Difference” by Oh, Hush!, Grayson DeWolfe, and Mattrik from the Big Heart Beats Album. There’s also an interview with the artists about similarities and differences.
- Community Colors interactive (also available in the Sparkler app for programs using Sparkler)
- “Thank You” goodbye song
Explore Other Us Time: Race & Racism Resources
- Sparkler Educator Resources Home Page
- Similarities and Differences
- Families are Different, and the same!
- Empathy: We All Have Feelings
- That’s Not Fair: Upstanding
- Race Review
