Us Time / Race Guide: Lesson 1: Similarities and Differences

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

Standards

Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Goal P-SE 6, Goal P-SE 11, Goal P-LC 1, Goal P-LC 2, Goal P-LC 5, Goal P-LC 6, Goal P-LIT 4.

CT ELDS: SE.36.13, SE.48.12, SE.60.15, SE.36.7, SE.48.7, SE.60.9, SE.36.9, SE.48.9, SE.60.11, SS.48.1, SS.60.1, L.36.5, L.48.5, L.60.5, L.36.7, L.48.7, L.48.11, L.36.14, L.48.13, L.48.15

Vocabulary

Same – an identical type; exactly similar

Different – not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality

Melanin – a pigment in the body that makes our hair, skin, and eye color appear darker when we have more of it and lighter when we have less of it. The more melanin someone has in their body, the darker their features will be.

What You'll Need

On the Playground illustration
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
“Celebrate Our Difference” by Oh, Hush!, Grayson DeWolfe, and Mattrik from the Big Heart Beats Album.
“Thank You” goodbye song
Discussing Race with Young Children guide

Family Engagement Materials

From this lesson, you can share:

Letter to introduce this unit to families
“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