Who is Privileged? lesson plan

TeachPeaceNow

Lesson: Who is Privileged?

Grade Level: Upper elementary, middle school

Background

To be privileged means to be treated special. Some privileges are earned and some are unearned acquired at birth or by the circumstances we find ourselves in. Each of us has certain privileges based on where we are born, what race we are, and what things we have accomplished. Privileges can give one person an advantage over another. For example, a person who is born to a rich family can expect to live in a better house and go to better schools than a person born into a very poor one.

Activity

Anticipatory Set

Primary: Pass out a sticker or small candy to a few children in the group who are wearing the same color top (or share some other innocuous unearned similarity). Ask: Why do you think I gave them this special treat? See if the class can figure out the reason. If not explain why, and then ask is this fair? Have them think of other ways some people are treated as more special than others. When is this fair? When isn’t it? What are some privileges you can earn? What are some privileges that are just given and not earned by the person?

Intermediate: Review the definition and then have students brainstorm a list of privileges one person can have over another. Then work in small groups or pairs to sort them into categories of earned or unearned.

Reading

As you read any book look for and point out instances of privilege.

Primary: Ask if it is fair for this person to be treated more special than someone else? Intermediate: Ask if the privilege is earned or unearned? As you read different books keep a list of characters who have special unearned privileges and those who do not. When you have a long list compare the two and see if the characters share any traits.

Follow up Intermediate discussion: What special treatment should every person have regardless of their race, place of birth, economic status, or physical abilities? Print out the Declaration of Human Rights from the web site below and discuss the different rights listed there.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

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