Character Profile Lesson Plan

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Lesson: Character Profile

Objective: To learn to not judge people on superficial characteristics.

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Preparation: Children often base their ideas about people on superficial characteristics or stereotypes. Select a children's book in which there is a character who exemplifies non-stereotypic behavior. A good example is the story Pink and Say (Polacco) in which it is the black soldier who can read and the white one who cannot. Another is Amazing Grace (Hoffman) in which a black girl wants to play the role of Peter Pan in the school play.

Procedure: Make a chart like the one below and have children fill in the information for themselves. (For preschoolers do a class chart). Have children look at each other and try to guess what classmates can do or how they are feeling. Talk about how it is impossible to know someone just from looking at them. Show the children the cover of the book. List ideas about the character(s) before reading the story and then after reading the story write down what they have learned about the character's special abilities.

What I look like

Things I can do and how I feel

Before reading: Describe the character

After reading: Describe the character

Follow Up Discussion Questions: Is it fair to judge people on how they look or where they come from? What are some ways we can get to know people better?

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