Suggested Grade Level
Grade
11
Approximate Time Needed
Minutes
Varies
Many people define things using different words and terms. In this activity, we are going to explore common definitions.
• Prejudice
• Stereotypes
• Discrimination
• “ism” Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality
Look at the Mis-education cycle handout. In each area of the miseducation cycle, you will demonstrate visually your understanding of the cycle and how it can lead to discrimination and/or inappropriate workplace. In your group, use cutouts from magazines and ads or draw images to illustrate your understanding of each of the four areas: misinformation; stereotypes; prejudice; and racism/sexism/heterosexism/classism.
Miseducation College Teacher Prep
- Explain to students that often there is a cycle of ignorance that accompanies prejudice and racism. This cycle begins with misinformation that we often get from many different sources.
- Brainstorm with students the major places they receive information:
- News/ Media
- Movies/ Music
- School
- Parents
- Social Media
- Explain that often the information we receive is twisted and inaccurate. This “Misinformation” creates the premise for the Mis-Education Cycle.
- Misinformation leads to the formation of Stereotypes – Vast generalizations about whole groups of people. Stereotypes are often (though not always) negative.
- Stereotypes lead to people making judgments about others prior to knowing them (prejudice).
- Once these belief systems are in place they can lead to the development of systems and institutions that reinforce unequal and oppressive laws and structures that affect entire groups of people. This leads the developments of: Racism, Sexism, Heterosexism, and Classism. These imply institutional power.
- Once these institutions are in place, they begin to replicate the misinformation that sustains and feeds them.
After talking through the Cycle with students, ask them to sort through the magazines, and/or Google images to cut and paste in each category. Use the sample provided. These images should support the themes of each section. Ask students to share their collage and talk through each section in pairs or small groups upon completion.
Group illustration of mis-education cycle
Diversity in the World of Work Research Assignment
This activity introduces students to multilingual skills and cultural knowledge and the practice of workplace diversity skills.
Diversity in the World of Work - Reflection
This activity gives students an opportunity to reflect on their internship experiences and the key takeaways from related lessons, such as what skills, techniques, and concepts can be applied to college and future work.