Lesson Plan
Celebrate Differences Game Plan
Students will collaborate in teams to answer questions about various cultures and traditions, earning points through respectful discussion and demonstrating their understanding of diversity.
This lesson cultivates social awareness and respect for diversity by engaging students in empathy-building activities, helping them appreciate different cultures and enhance teamwork skills.
Audience
5th Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive, team-based trivia game
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Game Show Slides and familiarize yourself with each slide’s content.
- Print enough copies of the Fact-Find Sheet for each student group.
- Read through the rules and questions in the Diversity Trivia Challenge.
- Keep the Trivia Answers accessible for quick reference and scoring.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Game Show Slides and introduce the topic of cultural diversity.
- Explain the objectives: to learn about different traditions and earn points by answering respectfully.
- Outline the game structure, scoring, and teamwork expectations.
Step 2
Team Setup & Rules
5 minutes
- Divide students into small teams of 3–4.
- Distribute the Fact-Find Sheet to each team.
- Model one sample question from the Diversity Trivia Challenge and show how to record answers and score.
Step 3
Trivia Rounds
15 minutes
- Conduct multiple rounds using questions from the Diversity Trivia Challenge.
- After each question, teams discuss and write their answers on the Fact-Find Sheet.
- Reveal correct answers from the Trivia Answers and award points accordingly.
- Keep a visible scoreboard to track team progress.
Step 4
Reflection & Debrief
5 minutes
- Ask each team to share one interesting fact they learned about another culture.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on why understanding traditions is important for respect and empathy.
- Congratulate all teams and highlight positive teamwork and respectful communication.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Celebrate Differences: Diversity Trivia Game
• Learn about cultures & traditions
• Work in teams to earn points
• Practice respectful discussion
Are you ready to explore and celebrate our world?
Welcome everyone! Today we're playing the “Celebrate Differences” Diversity Trivia Game. Our goal is to learn about different cultures and traditions in a fun, team-based format. Emphasize respect and curiosity as they answer questions.
Game Instructions
- We’ll show a question on the screen.
- Teams have 30 seconds to discuss and write an answer on their Fact-Find Sheet.
- When time’s up, show your answer card.
- Correct answers earn 10 points.
- Bonus points for thoughtful reflections!
Explain how the game works and what students need to do. Remind them to listen carefully, discuss respectfully, and write answers clearly.
Team Setup
• Divide into teams of 3–4 students
• Choose a team name and assign a scorekeeper
• Each team receives a Fact-Find Sheet
• Be ready to discuss and record answers
Guide students as you divide them into small groups. Make sure each team gets a Fact-Find Sheet and a pencil.
Scoring & Rules
• +10 points for each correct answer
• +5 bonus for sharing an interesting fact in debrief
• No shouting out answers—raise your hand if needed
• Respect everyone’s ideas and take turns speaking
Clarify scoring and rules before starting. Emphasize respectful behavior and teamwork.
Question {#}
[Insert Question from Diversity Trivia Challenge here]
A) Option A B) Option B
C) Option C D) Option D
This is a template for Question Slides. Replace the placeholder text with actual questions from the Diversity Trivia Challenge.
Scoreboard
| Team Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team A | ||||
| Team B | ||||
| Team C | ||||
| Team D |
Use this scoreboard slide after each round to update team totals. You can edit the table live or write on a whiteboard.
Reflection & Debrief
• Share one interesting cultural fact your team discovered
• Discuss: Why is learning traditions important?
• How can we show respect for diversity every day?
Wrap up by guiding reflection. Encourage each group to share one new thing they learned and why it matters.
Game
Diversity Trivia Challenge
Welcome to the Diversity Trivia Challenge, where teams earn points by exploring cultural traditions from around the world.
Game Structure:
• 3 Rounds (4 multiple-choice in Rounds 1 & 2; 2 open-ended in Round 3)
• 30 seconds per question in Rounds 1 & 2
• Teams discuss and write answers on their Fact-Find Sheet
Round 1: Festivals and Celebrations (4 Questions)
- Which of these dishes is traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations?
A) Tacos B) Dumplings C) Sushi D) Biryani - On Diwali, people often light what to symbolize the victory of light over darkness?
A) Lanterns B) Firecrackers C) Lamps (diyas) D) Candles - Which festival in Brazil is famous for colorful parades and samba music?
A) Carnaval B) Oktoberfest C) Holi D) Hanami - In which country do people celebrate the Day of the Dead to honor deceased loved ones?
A) Mexico B) Japan C) Germany D) India
Round 2: Traditions & Customs (2 Questions)
- What is the name of the Indian tradition of applying colorful powders during spring?
A) Eid B) Holi C) Easter D) Carnival - Which dance is commonly performed at a Hawaiian luau?
A) Hula B) Tango C) Flamenco D) Ballet
Round 3: Open-Ended Exploration (2 Questions)
- Describe one national costume or traditional clothing from a country you know. What makes it special?
- Name a greeting tradition in another culture and explain why it is important.
After Round 3, use the Trivia Answers to score multiple-choice responses and award points. Then move to the Reflection & Debrief using the last slide of the Game Show Slides. Good luck and have fun celebrating our world’s diversity!
Worksheet
Fact-Find Sheet
Use this sheet to record your team’s answers during each round and jot down interesting facts.
Round 1: Festivals and Celebrations
- Which dish is traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations?
Answer: ________________________________
- On Diwali, people often light what to symbolize the victory of light over darkness?
Answer: ________________________________
- Which festival in Brazil is famous for colorful parades and samba music?
Answer: ________________________________
- In which country do people celebrate the Day of the Dead?
Answer: ________________________________
Round 2: Traditions & Customs
- What is the name of the Indian tradition of applying colorful powders during spring?
Answer: ________________________________
- Which dance is commonly performed at a Hawaiian luau?
Answer: ________________________________
Round 3: Open-Ended Exploration
- Describe one national costume or traditional clothing from a country you know. What makes it special?
- Name a greeting tradition in another culture and explain why it is important.
Reflection & Interesting Facts
After hearing from other teams, write down one new cultural fact you learned and why it stood out to you:
Teams may also note bonus reflections or follow-up questions here:
Answer Key
Trivia Answers
This answer key provides correct responses for the multiple-choice questions along with brief explanations and a rubric for scoring the open-ended items.
Round 1: Festivals and Celebrations (Multiple-Choice)
- Which of these dishes is traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations?
- Correct Answer: B) Dumplings
- Explanation: Lunar New Year is celebrated in China and other East Asian countries, where dumplings are a customary festive food. Tacos (Mexican), sushi (Japanese), and biryani (South Asian) do not fit this celebration.
- On Diwali, people often light what to symbolize the victory of light over darkness?
- Correct Answer: C) Lamps (diyas)
- Explanation: During Diwali, families light small oil lamps called diyas. While firecrackers and lanterns may also appear, diyas specifically represent light triumphing over darkness.
- Which festival in Brazil is famous for colorful parades and samba music?
- Correct Answer: A) Carnaval
- Explanation: Carnaval in Brazil is world-renowned for its elaborate parades, vibrant costumes, and samba rhythms. Oktoberfest is German, Holi is Indian, and Hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) is Japanese.
- In which country do people celebrate the Day of the Dead to honor deceased loved ones?
- Correct Answer: A) Mexico
- Explanation: Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday. Though other nations may honor ancestors, the Day of the Dead specifically refers to Mexico’s traditions.
Round 2: Traditions & Customs (Multiple-Choice)
- What is the name of the Indian tradition of applying colorful powders during spring?
- Correct Answer: B) Holi
- Explanation: Holi is known as the Festival of Colors in India. Eid is an Islamic observance, Easter is Christian, and Carnival is a pre-Lenten festival.
- Which dance is commonly performed at a Hawaiian luau?
- Correct Answer: A) Hula
- Explanation: The hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance. Tango (Argentina), Flamenco (Spain), and Ballet (classical Western) are not associated with a luau.
Round 3: Open-Ended Exploration
These responses will vary. Use the rubric below to award up to 10 points per question, focusing on accuracy, detail, and cultural insight.
Rubric Criteria (per question)
• Content Accuracy (4 points): Student names a real costume/greeting tradition and identifies its country/region correctly.
• Descriptive Detail (3 points): Student describes at least two distinctive features (e.g., materials, colors, occasions, gestures).
• Cultural Significance (3 points): Student explains why it matters to the community (e.g., shows respect, celebrates identity, marks a rite of passage).
Question 7 Scoring Example
• Mentions a costume (e.g., Japanese kimono, Scottish kilt, Indian sari) — 2 pts
• Describes fabric, patterns, occasions — 3 pts
• Explains symbolism (e.g., family heritage, season, social status) — 3 pts
• Total = up to 8–10 points
Question 8 Scoring Example
• Names a greeting (e.g., bow, handshake, Namaste, cheek kiss) — 2 pts
• Details when/how it’s performed — 3 pts
• Explains importance (e.g., shows respect for elders, builds trust) — 3 pts
• Total = up to 8–10 points
Note to Teachers:
- For open-ended items, encourage students to share personal or researched examples.
- Offer partial credit when answers show understanding but lack one element of the rubric.
- Use the final Reflection & Debrief slide to deepen conversation about these cultural expressions.