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Inclusion Island: Celebrating Differences

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elizabeth.smith

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Inclusion Island: Celebrating Differences

Students will identify and appreciate unique qualities in themselves and others, fostering empathy, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

This lesson helps students understand the importance of diversity and inclusion, building a classroom community where everyone feels valued and respected.

Audience

2nd-3rd Grade Students

Time

45-55 minutes

Approach

Interactive storytelling and creative expression.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Inclusion Island Slide Deck, My Inclusion Island Map Activity, Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paper), and Discussion Prompts

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Inclusion Island Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the My Inclusion Island Map Activity worksheet (one per student).
    - Gather various art supplies for student use.
    - Review the Discussion Prompts to facilitate classroom conversation.

Step 1

Introduction: Welcome to Inclusion Island!

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm greeting and introduce the exciting journey to "Inclusion Island" using the Inclusion Island Slide Deck.
    - Ask students: "What makes each of us special and unique?" (Allow for brief sharing).
    - Explain that Inclusion Island is a magical place where everyone's differences are celebrated.

Step 2

Exploring Differences (Storytelling & Discussion)

15 minutes

  • Show slides depicting different characters or examples of diversity (e.g., different interests, talents, appearances, family structures).
    - Read a short, engaging story or narrative (either pre-prepared or improvised, aligned with the slides) about a character who feels different but learns to embrace their uniqueness and contribute to the island community.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion using selected Discussion Prompts to explore themes of uniqueness, empathy, and belonging.

Step 3

My Inclusion Island Map Activity

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Inclusion Island Map Activity worksheet and art supplies.
    - Explain the activity: Students will draw their own "Inclusion Island" and add things that represent what makes them unique and what they appreciate about others.
    - Encourage creativity and provide examples:
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Inclusion Island!

A Place Where Everyone Belongs and is Celebrated!

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the idea of Inclusion Island as a magical place where everyone belongs.

What Makes You Special?

Think about your unique talents, interests, and characteristics. What makes YOU, YOU?

Ask students to think about what makes them unique. Encourage a few to share if they are comfortable.

A World of Differences

People are special in many ways:

  • Different hobbies and interests
  • Different looks and appearances
  • Different ways of learning
  • Different family traditions
  • Different talents and skills

These differences make our world colorful and exciting!

Show diverse examples. Talk about how people can be different in many ways – interests, appearance, family, skills. Emphasize that these differences make our world more interesting.

The Story of the Rainbow Bird

Imagine a bird with feathers of every color, flying to Inclusion Island where all birds sing their unique songs together.

This slide is a visual aid for the teacher to tell a short story about a character who feels different but finds acceptance. The teacher will narrate the story, relating it to the concepts of inclusion and empathy.

Creating Our Inclusion Island

Now it's your turn to draw your own Inclusion Island!

  • What makes your island special?
  • What unique qualities will you put on your map?

Introduce the 'My Inclusion Island Map Activity'. Explain that students will create their own island map, showing what makes them and others unique.

Celebrating Every YOU!

Remember:

  • Everyone is unique and special.
  • Our differences make us strong.
  • When we include everyone, our community shines!

Summarize the key message: everyone is unique and valuable. Reiterate that appreciating differences makes our community stronger.

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Activity

My Inclusion Island Map Activity

Welcome to your very own Inclusion Island! This is a special place where everything that makes you unique and everything you love about others is celebrated.

Instructions:

  1. Draw Your Island: In the space below, draw your own unique island. Make it colorful and full of interesting places!
  2. What Makes YOU Special?: Draw or write about things on your island that represent what makes you special. Think about:
    • Your favorite hobbies (e.g., a soccer field for loving sports, a bookshelf for loving reading).
    • Your unique talents (e.g., a microphone for singing, a paintbrush for drawing).
    • Things that describe your personality (e.g., a bright sun for being cheerful, a calm lake for being peaceful).
  3. Celebrating Others: Draw or write about things on your island that represent what you appreciate and celebrate in your friends and classmates. Think about:
    • Their different interests or talents.
    • Their kindness or helpfulness.
    • What makes them unique and a valued part of your classroom community.
  4. Label Your Island: Label the different parts of your island to explain what they represent!

Use your imagination and celebrate all the wonderful differences!



















































My Island Key:

Use this space to explain what some of the symbols and drawings on your island represent.












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Discussion

Inclusion Island: Discussion Prompts

Use these prompts to guide a thoughtful classroom discussion about diversity, uniqueness, and inclusion.

Before the Story/Activity:

  1. What does it mean to be unique? Can you think of something that makes you special and different from everyone else?


  2. What does the word include mean? How does it feel when you are included? How does it feel when someone is left out?


  3. Why do you think it's important to have many different kinds of people in our classroom and in the world?


After the Story/During the Activity:

  1. In the story of the Rainbow Bird, how did the other birds react to the Rainbow Bird at first? How did their feelings change?


  2. What did the Rainbow Bird teach everyone on Inclusion Island about being different?


  3. When you look around our classroom, what are some of the wonderful differences you notice among your friends?


  4. How can we make sure everyone in our classroom feels like they belong on
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