Lesson Plan
Unpacking Our Biases
Students will be able to define bias and provide an example of how it can lead to misunderstanding or harm.
Understanding bias helps students recognize and challenge unfair judgments, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for themselves and others.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, guided discussion, and reflective exercises.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Bias Slide Deck, and Bias Scenario Discussion Starters
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Unpacking Our Biases Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow, objectives, and discussion points.
- Review the Bias Slide Deck content and teacher notes.
- Read through the Bias Scenario Discussion Starters and consider any additional prompts relevant to your students.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Opening Circle Prompt
3 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does 'fairness' mean to you? Think about a time you felt something was unfair or very fair." (1 minute)
- Allow 2-3 students to share their initial thoughts briefly. (2 minutes)
- Teacher Note: This prompt is designed to gently introduce the idea of judgment and perception without directly mentioning bias yet.
Step 2
Introduce Bias & Key Terms
5 minutes
- Transition by saying: "Today, we're going to explore something that can sometimes make things feel unfair: bias." (30 seconds)
- Display the title slide of the Bias Slide Deck.
- Use slides 2-4 of the Bias Slide Deck to define 'bias,' 'explicit bias,' and 'implicit bias.' Explain each term clearly, using the examples provided in the slides. (3 minutes)
- Ask: "Can anyone think of a simple, everyday example of bias, perhaps from a story or something you've seen?" (1.5 minutes)
- Teacher Note: Emphasize that everyone has biases, and the goal is awareness, not shame.
Step 3
Discuss How Bias Can Cause Harm
5 minutes
- Move to slide 5 of the Bias Slide Deck. Explain how biases, especially implicit ones, can lead to misunderstandings, unfair treatment, or even harm. (1 minute)
- Distribute or display the Bias Scenario Discussion Starters. (30 seconds)
- Divide students into small groups (2-3 students per group) and assign one scenario from the Bias Scenario Discussion Starters to each group. Instruct them to discuss: "What bias might be at play here? How could it lead to misunderstanding or harm? What's a better way to approach this situation?" (3 minutes)
- Bring the class back together and ask one or two groups to share their scenario and a key takeaway from their discussion. (30 seconds)
- Teacher Note: Facilitate a respectful environment. If time is short, choose one scenario for a whole-class discussion.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Closing Reflection
2 minutes
- Display slide 6 of the Bias Slide Deck. (15 seconds)
- Ask students to quickly reflect on the following question, either silently or by jotting down a quick thought: "Why is it important for you to understand bias?" (1 minute 45 seconds)
- Collect any written reflections as an exit ticket, or simply encourage silent reflection.
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Slide Deck
Bias: Unpack Yours!
Understanding how our brains work can help us build a fairer world together. Ready to explore?
Welcome students and introduce the topic with an engaging question or statement.
What is Bias?
Bias:
- A strong inclination or prejudice (for or against one thing, person, or group compared with another).
- A predisposition to see things in a certain way.
- Often based on experiences, upbringing, or cultural influences.
Define bias clearly. Emphasize that it's a natural human tendency.
Explicit Bias
Explicit Bias:
- Attitudes or beliefs that we consciously hold and can easily articulate.
- These are biases we are aware of.
- Example: Preferring a certain sports team and openly stating you believe they are the best.
Explain explicit bias - the kind we are aware of. Give an example.
Implicit Bias
Implicit Bias:
- Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
- These biases operate without our intentional control or even awareness.
- Example: Automatically assuming someone with glasses is good at math, even though you know it's not always true.
Explain implicit bias - the unconscious kind. This is often harder to recognize but very impactful. Use a simple, non-controversial example.
Bias Can Cause Harm
How can bias lead to misunderstanding or harm?
- Unfair Judgments: Making decisions about people based on assumptions, not facts.
- Exclusion: Accidentally leaving people out or making them feel unwelcome.
- Stereotyping: Overgeneralizing about entire groups of people.
It's important to recognize our biases so we can make more thoughtful and fair choices!
Discuss the consequences of bias. How can it lead to negative outcomes? Refer to the discussion starters here.
Why Does This Matter to YOU?
Reflection Question:
Why is it important for you to understand bias?
(Think about yourself, your friends, your school, and the wider world.)
End with a reflective question for students to ponder individually.
Discussion
Bias Scenario Discussion Starters
Work with your group to discuss the following scenarios. For each scenario, consider:
- What bias might be at play here?
- How could it lead to misunderstanding or harm?
- What's a better way to approach this situation?
Scenario 1: Group Project Selection
During a group project selection, a student who is often quiet in class is consistently the last to be chosen, even though they are known to be a creative and dedicated team member when given the chance.
Scenario 2: New Student in Class
A new student joins the class. They come from a different region and speak with an accent that is unfamiliar to most students. Some students make assumptions about the new student's intelligence or background based solely on their accent.
Scenario 3: Assumptions about Hobbies
Several students in a class assume that a classmate, who is very interested in science and math, must not be interested in arts, sports, or social activities, even though they have never asked them about their other hobbies.