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Lesson Plans – Diversity

Activities that Promote Racial and Cultural Awareness
Source: PBS
Article and learning activities that discuss cultural awareness in young children. Offers experiential learning activities to raise awareness of and respect for difference.
Grade Level: pre-school – elementary
Subject Area: social studies, all-school activities 


All about Me
Source: Advocates for Human Rights
Encourages discovery of personal differences and the value of respect for others.
Grade Level: elementary
Subject Area: social studies


All Different, All Equal 
Source: Council of Europe
A full curriculum of learning activities to promote diversity and intercultural education.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies


aMaze: “Families All Matter”
Source: Families All Matter Book Project (FAM)
A full curriculum with stories about families to read and discuss, with follow-up activities and journals prompts.
Grade Level: elementary – middle school
Subject Area: social studies

Liberation Curriculum
Source: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute
Provides document-based lesson plans, online educational resources and professional development workshops regarding the modern African American Freedom Struggle and King’s vision of a just and peaceful world. Currently directed by Dr. Julie Henderson, this educational initiative seeks to transform the way young people learn about history by emphasizing the actions of ordinary people who made extraordinary contributions to liberation movements.
Grade Level: elementary – high school
Subject Area: social studies, US History


Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program
Source: Advocates for Youth
Module on discrimination and stereotypes in a full curriculum that includes lessons such as Hunting for Diversity and A-B-C Diversity.
Grade Level: elementary – high school
Subject Area: social studies


Looking Closely at Ourselves
Source: Teaching Tolerance
Explores differences by creating and analyzing self-portraits
Grade Level: elementary – high school
Subject Area: social studies, art, all-school activity


Perspectives for a Diverse America
Source: Teaching Tolerance, 2014
Literacy based curriculum that combines anti-bias  social justice content with Common Core literacy requirements. Offers professional development supports tools and practices that improve school climate.
Grade Level: elementary – high school, educators
Subject Area: social studies, all-school activities


Teaching Tolerance
Source: Teaching Tolerance
A collection of lessons for every age level that explore diversity, stereotypes, positive race relations, and respect.
Grade Level: K – high school
Subject Area: social studies


Tolerance in Times of Trial
Source: PBS
Uses the treatment of citizens of Japanese and German ancestry during World War II as historical examples of ethnic conflict during times of trial. Examines contemporary examples of ethnic conflict, discrimination, and stereotyping at home and abroad.
Grade Level: middle – high school
Subject Area: social studies, US History


YWCA Anti-Racism Toolkit
Source: YWCA
This handbook offers ideas about combating personal and institutional racism. Includes an excellent discussion of diversity vs. white privilege.
Grade Level:  high school – adult
Subject Area: social studies, all-school activities

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