Respecting Differences

Grades K - 2. The Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility in New York City developed this plan. The goal is that the students will observe that people, even friends, may disagree in their opinions. Suggested materials include an agenda written on chalkboard or chart paper; masking tape; three large posters, one that reads "Agree," one "Disagree," and one ''Not Sure." Start by asking each student to say one thing she or he likes to do that ends in "ing" (e.g., running, eating.)  Introduce the lesson by stating that we are going to find out whether we have different ideas about things and we will try to respect each other's opinions even when we disagree: "Lots of times people have different ideas about things. When people have a strong belief that their idea is true, we call that an ‘opinion.'"  

Procedure:

(1) Ask students who think cats make good pets to raise their hands. Say that all of those people who raised their hands "agree" on something. Show them the sign reading "Agree." (2) Ask which students don't think cats make good pets and would not have a cat. Show those students the sign reading "Disagree." The people who don't think cats make good pets disagree with the people who do. (3) Show the sign that says "Not Sure." Ask if there are people in the room who don't know whether they think cats make good pets. Maybe these people will have an opinion about whether cats make good pets at some time in the future, but right now they are not sure what they think about this. (4) Tape the three posters to the wall in three different corners of the room.

Let others know your opinion:

(1) Tell the students that you are going to make a statement. Those who agree with it should stand by the "Agree" sign. Those who disagree should stand by the "Disagree" sign. Those who aren't sure should stand by the "Not Sure" sign. (2) Read one of the following statements: Vanilla ice cream is delicious. Red is a color I like to wear.  Children my age should be allowed to decide what time to go to bed. (3) When they sorted themselves according to whether they agree, disagree, or are not sure, ask volunteers from each group to talk about the opinion they chose. Also ask if they see one of their friends standing in a different place from themselves. Emphasize that sometimes people who are friends have different opinions about something. (4) Repeat with the other statements [We would add that for humanist groups, these statements could focus on beliefs about nature and the universe as well as ethical matters.]

Discussion:

Some questions: How did you decide where to stand? How did you feel about the people who stood in a different place than you did? How do you feel about the people who stood in the same place you did? Sometimes people think the same things we do and sometimes they don't. We can be friends even if we don't agree on everything.

The developers of this lesson have stated that the welcome your suggestions on this.  They can be reached at  -- info@morningsidecenter.org.