Elementary Lesson Plan 1: I am Unique

Introduction

Objective: Students will define the terms "unique," "alike," and "different," and list qualities that make them unique.

This lesson will focus on explaining to students that each one of them is unique and special in their own way. Students have an abundance of differences, despite their similarities, and it’s essential to help them realize that they are each important as an individual. You will need to discuss various attributes, such as the foods that students like and dislike, their hair color, eye color, pets that they might have at home, and different personality traits.

To adequately prepare for this lesson, complete each of the steps below.

The resource images below are previews only. To access the printable resource content, click on each image preview.

1. Preparing for the Start-of-Class Activity

Before class, prepare a Snowflake Cutout for each student in the class. To find a template that can be used, printed, cut, and presented to students as they arrive to the classroom, click on the Snowflake Cutout resource. Additionally, a Snowflake Visual resource is to be prepared ahead of time, and it must be large enough so that all the students in your class can attach their snowflake to the snowman. Use the Snowflake Visual resource as a guide, and access a digital version by clicking the image. Arrange various markers, colored pencils, crayons, stickers, and other art supplies on student tables to allow them to decorate their snowflakes upon arrival, however they would like.

2. Preparing for the Mid-Class Activity

To get ready for the next class activity, prepare different sheets of construction paper to list different commonalities that students might share. Who has a dog? Who has brown hair? Who has blue eyes? Who likes to eat carrots? Use these examples to design 10 personalized categories that relate to your students. Each of the 10 different stations will need to be set up around the perimeter of the room, each indicated by a construction paper sign. Hang these on the wall, low enough that students can reach them, or set them up at 10 different areas around the room.

3. Preparing for the Optional Use of Additional Resources

If time allows, or you -- as the teacher -- need an additional resource for this lesson, the text It’s Okay to be Different, by Todd Parr, does a good job of listing various qualities that students may or may not share, and assures students that it’s okay to be any of those special things. If you decide to use this resource during your lesson, you should review this quick read before class, and share it with students as part of the class discussion. You can find a student reading of the text below. (This video is a YouTube resource and utilizes a standard YouTube license.)

Please do not use any optional resources without completely reviewing them first.