Lesson Plan: Celebrating Diversity with “Everyone, Just Like Me”
“Everyone, Just Like Me” by Carylee Carrington is a delightful children’s book that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Through vibrant illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, it shows young readers that although we all look different on the outside, we share a common humanity and the capacity to connect with one another.
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Duration: 2 Class Periods (approximately 30 minutes each)
Objectives:
- To introduce the concept of diversity and inclusivity through literature.
- To explore the book “Everyone, Just Like Me” by Carylee Carrington.
- To engage in discussions about different cultures, backgrounds, and the importance of empathy.
- To create a collaborative art project that celebrates diversity.
Materials:
- Copies of “Everyone, Just Like Me” by Carylee Carrington
- Whiteboard and markers
- Art supplies (paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils)
- Images or illustrations representing diverse children from various cultures
- Small mirrors for each student (small handheld or provided digitally)
- Large poster paper or a bulletin board
Procedure:
Day 1: Introduction to Diversity and Empathy
Opening (10 minutes):
1. Begin by discussing what it means to be empathetic and how we can understand and appreciate people who may be different from us.
Reading Activity (15 minutes):
2. Introduce the book “Everyone, Just Like Me” by Carylee Carrington, showcasing the cover and briefly mentioning that it celebrates different cultures and backgrounds.
3. Read the book aloud, emphasizing the diverse children and their unique backgrounds.
Discussion (15 minutes):
4. Engage the students in a discussion about the book’s themes:
- What did the children in the book have in common?
- How are they different from one another?
- How can we show empathy and kindness to people from diverse backgrounds?
Day 2: Celebrating Diversity through Collaborative Art
Self-Reflection Activity (10 minutes):
5. Provide a small mirror for each student or use a digital tool to allow them to see their own faces. Ask them to observe and appreciate their unique features.
Collaborative Art Project (20 minutes):
6. Show the students images or illustrations representing diverse children from various cultures. Encourage them to choose one of these images as inspiration for their art project.
7. In a collaborative effort, create a large poster or bulletin board display that includes all students’ self-portraits, each celebrating their unique appearance and background.
8. Provide art supplies (paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils) for students to create their self-portraits, which will be added to the display.
Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes):
9. Have the students gather around the completed collaborative art display.
10. Discuss how the display represents their classroom’s commitment to celebrating diversity and showing empathy and kindness to everyone.
Assessment:
- Informal assessment through participation in discussions, creativity in self-portraits, and the reflection on empathy and diversity.
Conclusion:
This lesson plan aims to help 2nd-grade students understand the importance of diversity, empathy, and inclusivity through the book “Everyone, Just Like Me” by Carylee Carrington. By discussing the book’s themes and participating in a collaborative art project, students will learn valuable lessons about embracing differences and fostering a culture of empathy and acceptance.
