Elementary Education Program

Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Lesson Plan

Name: Maddy Shand

Grade: 2
Concept/Topic: Walking in Other’s Shoes
Materials/Resources:

● Same Same but Different ​by​ ​Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

● Interview Questions printed out

Length of Lesson (in minutes): 50 minutes

Learning Objectives​:
Students will be able to explain how they are similar and different from their classmates.
Students will be able to explain how they can show respect for others who are different from
them.

Standards:
Essential Standard: 2.C.1 Understand how various cultures influence communities
Classifying Objects: 2.C.1.3 Exemplify respect and appropriate social skills needed for working
with diverse groups

Assessment​:

Students should be able to explain why it is important that we are all different and have different
backgrounds. Students should be encouraged to learn more about others cultures after reading
Same Same but Different. ​During the interviews the teacher will go around group to group to
make sure students are actively involved and staying on track. The teacher should also make
sure that everyone is being respectful and using appropriate language.

After doing the interviews, students will have a better understanding of some ways that makes
people similar and different. Students should be able to explain why it is important to show
respect to their classmates and how they can practice respect.

Vocabulary/Language Function​:
New Vocabulary:
● Culture: A pattern of behavior shared by a group of people that includes food, language,
clothing, tools, music, art, customs, beliefs, and religion
● Tradition: A belief or custom handed down from one generation to another
● Customs: Traditions and habits of a group of people
 Elementary Education Program
Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Lesson Development:
Launch (10 minutes):
- “Good morning, students! Today we are going to read a book called ​Same Same but
Different ​to learn about how we can develop compassion for others and their different
cultures and backgrounds. Does anyone know what the culture means? Can someone
share their ideas with the class?” (Teach the word to the students before beginning the
book)
- “Our main characters are pen pals writing to each other about their lives, they learn that
they do a lot of similar things but that they look different. What are some ways that they
were similar? What were some ways they were different?”
- “Now that we have read about how these two boys were similar but different, why do you
think it is important to learn about the lives of others? Why should we learn about the
cultures of others?”
- “Let’s remember what culture means (A pattern of behavior shared by a group of people,
including food, language, clothing, music, art, customs, beliefs, religion, etc). Does
anyone know about their own culture?”
- “Today we are going to learn more about culture and how it can affect how our lives
look. It is important for us to learn more about other cultures so we can be respectful of
our differences with peers.”
Read Aloud (10 minutes)​ :
After the launch, the students will come to the same spot where morning meetings take place so
that they can begin reading the story ​Same Same but Different. ​When reading the story make sure
to stop throughout the book asking the students to point out similarities and differences between
the two main characters. Ask them questions about their own personal experiences and have
them pair and share with their neighbors. Provide opportunity for questions about the book at
the end. Some specific questions that may be helpful:
● How are Elliot’s and Kailash’s family similar? How are they different?
● What does it look like where Kailash lives? What does it look like where Elliot lives?
What similarities do you notice between the two places?
● How does Elliot say hello? How does Kailash say hello? Let’s all say namaste together!
● Even though they live very far apart they are best friends! Do you have any friends who
live far away from you? Are your friends different from you?

Student Independent Work (15 minutes)​:

The teacher will then place students into pairs. The teacher will have the students interview
each other using the questions provided. The teacher will provide an example of what this
interview will look like. Then students will break off into groups to interview their partner and
record their responses. The interview questions will be:
 Elementary Education Program
Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

1. What country are you from? What country are your guardians from?
2. What language do you speak at home?
3. What types of food did you eat growing up?
4. What traditions do you have with your family?
5. What holidays do you celebrate?
6. What do you do for fun with your family?
7. Is there anything else you want to share?

**Walk around the room to make sure the students understand the questions and that they
are staying on track with their work.
Class Discussion (10 minutes)​:
After the students have had time to work together in groups, then the students will share about
how their partner is similar to them and some ways they are different. Encourage as much
response as students are comfortable sharing. Then move into discussion:
“You all saw in the interviews that you all have some similarities and some differences with your
classmates. We all come from different backgrounds and have different cultures, can someone
remind me what culture means? Every single person in this classroom is different and our
differences make us unique. What do you think the world would look like if everyone was the
same? What if everyone spoke and acted the same way?”
Allow students to have discussion about why it is important to learn about others cultures and
why it is important that we are all unique. Build student understanding about how they can show
respect for others cultures (asking respectful questions when they want to learn more, listening to
how other people live, celebrating everyone's differences)
Closure (5 minutes):
“Remember that we have learned about how we are all unique and different and are all a part of
different cultures. It is so important for us to respect others who are different from us because
we all want to be respected so we have to respect others in return. Differences are something to
be celebrated!”
Have a class discussion about what respect looks like and some practical ideas to help get the
students thinking about how they can display respect in and out of the classroom.