Lesson Plan
Bias: See It, Speak Up!
Students will recognize when bias impacts their thinking, understand that all people are impacted by bias, and increase their skills in speaking out when they observe bias.
Understanding bias is crucial for developing critical thinking, promoting empathy, and fostering an inclusive environment. This lesson empowers students to identify and address unfairness.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30-40 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and real-world scenarios to explore bias and practice speaking out.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pen, Bias: See It, Speak Up! Slide Deck, and Bias Discussion Prompts
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Bias: See It, Speak Up! Slide Deck and discussion prompts.
- Ensure technology (projector/whiteboard) is ready.
- Read through the Bias Discussion Prompts to familiarize yourself with the questions and anticipated student responses.
- Consider any potential sensitivities within your student group and prepare to facilitate discussions respectfully and inclusively.
Step 1
Warm-up: What is Bias?
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1: "What is Bias?"
- Ask students: "When you hear the word 'bias,' what comes to mind? What does it mean?" Allow for a few initial thoughts.
- Transition to a brief explanation of bias, using examples from the Bias: See It, Speak Up! Slide Deck (Slide 2). Emphasize that bias is often unconscious and affects everyone.
Step 2
Exploring Types of Bias
10 minutes
- Display Slide 3: "Bias in Action."
- Present a few simple scenarios (e.g., judging a book by its cover, assuming someone's interests based on their appearance, preferring a certain brand because of advertising). Ask students to identify potential biases in each scenario.
- Discuss how bias can be explicit (conscious) or implicit (unconscious). Use Slide 4 to illustrate the idea that everyone has biases.
- Encourage students to share (if comfortable) times they might have unconsciously made a judgment or observed someone else doing so.
Step 3
Impact of Bias and Speaking Up
10 minutes
- Display Slide 5: "Why Does It Matter?" Discuss the potential negative impacts of unchecked bias (unfairness, stereotypes, missed opportunities).
- Display Slide 6: "Your Voice Matters!" Introduce the importance of speaking out against bias.
- Facilitate a brief discussion using the Bias Discussion Prompts (Prompt 1 and 2): "What does it mean to 'speak out'? What are some safe and effective ways to do this?"
Step 4
Role-Play/Scenario Practice
10 minutes
- Display Slide 7: "Practice Makes Progress."
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
- Provide each group with a scenario (from Bias Discussion Prompts - Scenario A or B) where bias is present. Instruct them to brainstorm how they would react or what they would say to address the bias in a constructive way.
- After a few minutes, bring the class back together and have a couple of groups share their strategies.
- Discuss the challenges and benefits of speaking out.
Step 5
Wrap-up: Reflect and Connect
5 minutes
- Display Slide 8: "Reflect and Grow."
- Ask students to complete an exit ticket (verbal or written): "One thing I learned about bias today is..." or "One way I can speak up against bias is..."
- Reiterate that recognizing and addressing bias is an ongoing process for everyone, and their efforts make a difference.
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Slide Deck
Bias: See It, Speak Up!
Understanding Bias: How to Recognize It and Respond Constructively
Your voice matters!
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what 'bias' means to them. Facilitate a quick brainstorm or think-pair-share.
What is Bias?
Bias is a leaning for or against something, often in a way that is unfair or prejudiced.
It can be:
- Conscious (Explicit): You know you have this preference.
- Unconscious (Implicit): You might not even realize you have this preference.
Example: Preferring one type of music over another without really knowing why.
Define bias as a preference or inclination, especially one that prevents impartial judgment. Explain that it can be for or against something, someone, or a group. Emphasize that it's often unconscious.
Bias in Action
Let's look at some everyday situations. Can you spot the bias?
Scenario 1: A coach always picks the tallest kids for the basketball team, even if other kids have better skills.
Scenario 2: A movie always shows scientists as men with crazy hair, even though many women are scientists.
Scenario 3: You assume someone will be quiet because they wear glasses and like to read.
Present a few simple scenarios. For example, a teacher always calling on boys in math class, or assuming someone is good at sports because of their height. Ask students to identify the bias.
Everyone Has Bias!
It's true! Every single person has biases. It's how our brains work.
- Our experiences, culture, and what we see around us all shape our biases.
- Sometimes it helps us make quick decisions.
- But sometimes, it leads to unfair judgments.
The key is to become aware of our biases and how they affect our thinking and actions.
Explain that having biases is a normal part of being human. Our brains try to make quick judgments to process information, which can lead to biases. The goal isn't to be 'bias-free,' but to recognize and manage them. Use an iceberg analogy if helpful – much of it is below the surface.
Why Does It Matter?
Unrecognized bias can lead to:
- Unfairness: Treating people differently based on assumptions.
- Stereotypes: Oversimplified and often negative ideas about groups of people.
- Exclusion: Making someone feel like they don't belong.
- Missed Opportunities: Not seeing someone's true potential.
Bias can hurt individuals and entire communities.
Discuss the negative consequences of unaddressed bias: unfair treatment, stereotypes, discrimination, limited opportunities, and division. Ask students how bias might affect someone on the receiving end.
Your Voice Matters!
When you see or hear bias, you have the power to make a difference. Speaking out means:
- Challenging unfairness.
- Standing up for others.
- Promoting understanding.
It takes courage, but even small actions can have a big impact!
Shift to proactive strategies. Emphasize that students have the power to make a difference. Brainstorm with them what 'speaking out' looks like – it doesn't always mean a big confrontation. It can be subtle.
Practice Makes Progress!
It can be tough to know what to say or do in the moment. That's why we practice!
Together, we'll think about safe and effective ways to respond to bias:
- What could you say?
- What could you do?
- Who could you talk to?
Introduce the idea of practicing responses. Explain that planning ahead can make it easier to speak up in the moment. Give students scenarios to work through in groups.
Reflect and Grow
Learning about bias and practicing how to respond is a journey, not a destination.
- Keep observing.
- Keep thinking critically.
- Keep using your voice.
Every step you take to challenge bias makes our world a little fairer and more understanding.
Conclude by reinforcing the ongoing nature of this work. Encourage students to continue reflecting and practicing. Use this as an opportunity for an exit ticket or a final thought.
Discussion
Bias Discussion Prompts
Use these prompts and scenarios to guide classroom discussion and small group activities.
Discussion Questions
-
What does it mean to "speak out" when you see or hear bias? What are some different ways you could do this?
-
What are some safe and effective ways to speak out against bias, especially when you might feel nervous or unsure?
Scenario Practice
Work with your group to discuss how you would respond in each of the following situations. Think about what you would say or do.
Scenario A
You are in the school library working on a project with a partner. You overhear another group of students making negative generalizations about a new student in your class, saying things like, "They probably won't be good at sports because of where they're from."
What would you do or say to address this bias?
Scenario B
During a class discussion, a student says, "Girls are always better at reading, and boys are always better at math." You notice a few students, both boys and girls, look uncomfortable or roll their eyes.
What would you do or say to challenge this stereotype and bias?