OVERVIEW: In this lesson students will be constructing a list of ethnic stereotypes that exist in the US today. Students will analyze these stereotypes and within groups they will research their origins. Groups will compile research and present to the class their analysis of the origins of these stereotypes and why they persist in society.

TIME REQUIRED: Three 45-minute class periods.

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVELS: Grades 6-9.

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS: History, Psychology, Composition, Visual Arts

NEW JERSEY CORE CONTENT STANDARDS: 6.4, 6.5

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will analyze current ethnical stereotypes.
2. Students will identify the differences between positive and negative stereotypes.
3. Students will research how ethnical stereotypes developed and why they are prevalent in our society.

STRATEGIES:

1. At the website for the Asian American Center, you will find a questionnaire asking students about their beliefs on their own and other ethnical groups stereotypes. You could use this questionnaire as a Do Now so students can begin to think about stereotypes.

2. Discuss the questionnaire and ask them what were some of the ethnic groups they listed. Write these on the board in a chart form. Example:

African ----- Americans ----- Asians----- Indians ----- Arabs ----- Irish

3. Explain that for each ethnic group there are both positive and negative stereotypes. An example of a positive one would be: All Asians are good at math. An example of a negative one would be: All Arabs are terrorists. Explain that both positive & negative stereotypes can be harmful to people belonging in that group.

4. Add the group Americans to the chart and ask students what are the positive and negative stereotypes of Americans. Write these on the board. As a class come up with some ideas about why these stereotypes might exist.

5. Divide the class into 5 groups (about 4-5 students per group). Assign each group 2 ethnic groups. For each ethnic group they are assigned they should make a list of as many positive and negative stereotypes they can think of. Then using various magazines (you can either bring them in or have your students bring them in for homework) cut out pictures that support those stereotypes.

6. When groups are done have them present to the class the positive & negative stereotypes of their 2 ethnic groups. Other classmates can add to their list.

7. Now tell the groups that they will research the origins for those stereotypes in their groups. Next class, go to the library or computer lab so groups can do their research (this could also be done for homework). At the library each group member can be responsible for finding at least one article that explains the origin of those stereotypes. They are to rewrite the article in their own words, which they will later hand in.

8. Groups will then put together a short presentation about how stereotypes for their assigned ethnic groups developed. The groups should present how the stereotypes were formed historically and how they persist today. To make it more entertaining groups could perform a skit, show a clip from film/TV show, or make a poster. (make it mandatory to find something from the media).

MATERIALS:

1. Website Asian American Center
2. Various magazines
3. One class period of library time

REFERENCES: Student-generated research and presentation materials.

ASSESSMENT: Grade the presentations on the materials they found, group collaboration, creativity, and collect the articles with their summations. A rubric is found here.