Lesson Plan
Our Community Stories
Students will be able to identify one way that a peer's background or experience might be different from their own and explain why that is valuable.
Understanding and celebrating the unique stories within our community helps us build a more empathetic and inclusive classroom. By recognizing and valuing diverse backgrounds, students develop respect for others and a stronger sense of belonging.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, a read-aloud, and a reflection activity, students will explore community diversity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Our Community Stories Slide Deck, Storybook on Cultural Diversity, Windows and Mirrors Worksheet, Drawing materials (crayons, markers, colored pencils), and Large paper or poster board for communal poster
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Our Community Stories Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Our Community Stories Slide Deck, Storybook on Cultural Diversity, and Windows and Mirrors Worksheet.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the slide deck.
- Gather a culturally diverse storybook for the read-aloud (e.g.,
Step 1
Warm Up: Diverse Communities
5 minutes
Hook and Engage (5 minutes)
- Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, class! We're going to start with a quick thought experiment. I want everyone to close their eyes for a moment. Think about your family. Who lives in your house? What are some things you do together? Now, think about your neighborhood. Who are some of the people you see there? What languages might they speak? What kinds of foods might they eat? Keep those thoughts in your mind.
- Teacher: "Now, open your eyes. Who would like to share one thing they thought about their family or neighborhood? Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just observations!"
- Allow 2-3 students to share briefly.
- Teacher: "Great shares! Today, we're going to celebrate all the amazing and different stories that make up our community, right here in our classroom and beyond. We'll be exploring how everyone's background makes our community special."
Step 2
Read-Aloud: Cultural Stories
7 minutes
Explore and Explain (7 minutes)
- Teacher: "To help us think more about different cultures and experiences, I'm going to read a special story today. This book, Storybook on Cultural Diversity, tells us about... [briefly introduce the book's theme, e.g., 'a child who moves to a new country and learns about new traditions,' or 'friends from different backgrounds sharing their family customs']. As I read, I want you to listen for ways the characters' experiences might be different from yours, and also ways they might be similar."
Step 3
Windows and Mirrors Activity
5 minutes
Elaborate and Engage (5 minutes)
- Teacher: "That was a wonderful story! Now, we're going to do an activity called 'Windows and Mirrors.' Has anyone heard that phrase before?"
- Briefly explain: A 'mirror' story reflects your own experiences, and a 'window' story shows you something new about someone else's experience.
- Teacher: "I'm handing out a Windows and Mirrors Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll see two sections. In the 'Mirror' section, I want you to draw or write one thing from the story that reminded you of yourself, your family, or your experiences. In the 'Window' section, I want you to draw or write one thing from the story that taught you something new about someone else's background or experience."
- Give students about 3-4 minutes to work on their worksheets.
- Teacher: "Now, quickly turn to a partner and share one 'window' you found in the story. What did you learn that was new?"
- Allow 1 minute for quick partner shares.
Step 4
Our Community Poster Creation
3 minutes
Evaluate and Extend (3 minutes)
- Teacher: "Fantastic sharing, everyone! We're going to end our lesson by starting an 'Our Community' poster. Throughout the week, we'll add to it. Each of you will get to contribute. Today, I want you to think about one thing you love about your own background or family tradition that you'd like to share with our class community, without writing your name on it. It could be a favorite food, a special holiday, a language spoken at home, or anything that makes your family unique and special. We will add to our class poster throughout the week to show how many wonderful and different stories make up our classroom!"
- Teacher: "Remember, everyone's story is valuable, and when we learn about each other, our community becomes even stronger and more interesting. We'll continue this discussion and add to our poster next time!"
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Our Community Stories
Exploring the diverse experiences that make our community special!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's theme of community stories and diversity.
What Makes a Community?
Think about:
- Your family and traditions
- Your neighborhood and its people
- Different languages, foods, and celebrations you know
Share one thought with the class!
Guide students through the warm-up discussion as outlined in the lesson plan. Encourage sharing.
A Story About Different Cultures
Listen closely to the story.
Think about:
- How are the characters' experiences similar to yours?
- How are they different?
Introduce the chosen storybook. Remind students to listen for similarities and differences.
Windows and Mirrors Activity
A mirror shows you something about yourself.
A window shows you something new about others.
On your worksheet:
- Draw or write a 'mirror' moment from the story.
- Draw or write a 'window' moment from the story.
Then, share your 'window' with a partner!
Explain the 'Windows and Mirrors' concept. Distribute the worksheet and give instructions.
Our Community Poster
What makes your family or background special?
Think of one thing you love to share with our class community!
(e.g., a favorite food, a special holiday, a language)
We will add to our class poster throughout the week!
Introduce the 'Our Community' poster. Explain that students will contribute one unique aspect of their background, anonymously.
Celebrating Our Diverse Community
Every story makes our community stronger and more interesting!
Thank you for sharing and learning!
Conclude the lesson by reiterating the value of diversity.
Reading
Storybook on Cultural Diversity
For the Teacher:
This reading material is a placeholder for a culturally diverse storybook you will select to read aloud to your 3rd-grade class. The book should ideally:
- Feature characters from diverse backgrounds, cultures, or family structures.
- Showcase unique traditions, celebrations, languages, or daily life experiences.
- Promote understanding, empathy, and appreciation for differences.
- Be age-appropriate and engaging for 3rd-grade students.
Purpose in the Lesson:
The storybook serves as a central text to introduce students to different backgrounds and experiences, acting as both a "mirror" (where students might see themselves reflected) and a "window" (where students learn about others).
Examples of suitable books (choose one that fits your classroom best):
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
- Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Before reading, review the book to identify key themes, characters, and moments that highlight cultural diversity and the value of unique experiences. This will help you guide the discussion and the Windows and Mirrors Worksheet activity effectively.
Worksheet
Windows and Mirrors Worksheet
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
After listening to the story, let's think about how stories can be like windows or mirrors.
Part 1: My Mirror
A mirror shows you something about yourself! What was one thing in the story that reminded you of yourself, your family, or something you have experienced? It could be a feeling, an activity, a tradition, or a character.
Draw or write about your "mirror" moment here:
Part 2: My Window
A window shows you something new about someone else or a different experience! What was one thing in the story that taught you something new about a different culture, family, or way of life that is different from your own? Why do you think it's valuable to learn about this difference?
Draw or write about your "window" moment here:
Bonus Challenge (Optional): Share your "window" moment with a classmate! What did they learn?