Celebrating Differences Lesson Plan Celebrating Differences
Lesson Plan • 3rd Grade • Tier 1
30 Minutes
Why It Matters
Fostering empathy and appreciation for diversity builds an inclusive classroom culture, boosts social–emotional skills, and supports English and Spanish learners.
Approach
Bilingual reading, discussion, and hands-on activities.
Objective
Students will explore and respect cultural and physical differences by engaging in a bilingual reading, guided discussion, interactive game, and reflection activity.
Preparation
Print and cut Physical Feature Flashcards .
Copy About Our Differences reading passages (English & Spanish).
Prepare Celebrating Differences Worksheets for all students.
Print and cut Cultural Differences Matching Game Cards .
Review key bilingual vocabulary and sentence stems.
Materials Checklist
Physical Feature Flashcards
English Reading Passage
Spanish Reading Passage
Bilingual Worksheet
Matching Game Cards
Instructional Steps
5 min
1. Warm-Up
• Display Physical Feature Flashcards one at a time.
• Ask students in English and Spanish to name the feature (e.g., hair color, eye shape).
• Encourage classmates to point out similarities and celebrate unique features.
Reinforce: “Me gusta tu…” / “I like your…”
10 min
2. Reading
• Distribute English or Spanish Reading Passages based on student needs.
• Read aloud together, modeling pronunciation in both languages.
• Pause to define key terms and connect vocabulary to students’ experiences.
5 min
3. Discussion
• Ask guided questions in English and Spanish: “What similarities did you notice?” / “¿Qué similitudes viste?”
• Invite volunteer responses; allow answers in either language.
Sentence Stems: “I noticed…” / “Yo noté…”
7 min
4. Game
• Divide students into pairs with a set of Matching Game Cards .
• Students take turns flipping cards to find matching cultural/physical traits.
• Encourage partners to describe their matches using bilingual labels.
3 min
5. Worksheet Activity
• Hand out Celebrating Differences Worksheet .
• Students draw and write one unique thing they appreciate about a classmate.
• Collect as exit tickets to review understanding and reflections.
Physical Feature Flashcards Warm Up Physical Feature Flashcards
Cut along the dashed lines. Use these cards during the warm-up to practice identifying unique features in English and Spanish.
👦🏽
Brown Hair
Pelo castaño
👧🏾
Black Hair
Pelo negro
👩🏻🦱
Curly Hair
Cabello rizado
👱🏼♀️
Straight Hair
Cabello liso
👁️
Blue Eyes
Ojos azules
👁️
Brown Eyes
Ojos castaños
🖐🏻 🖐🏼
Light Skin
Piel clara
🖐🏾 🖐🏿
Dark Skin
Piel oscura
🦒
Tall
Alto / Alta
🐧
Short
Bajo / Baja
About Our Differences Passage English Reading About Our Differences
Reading Passage • English
Each of us is unique in many ways. We have different hair colors, eye shapes, and skin tones. Some of us speak more than one language or eat foods that others have never tried. These differences help us learn about new ideas and traditions.
We come from many cultures, which means we celebrate different holidays, wear different clothes, and listen to different music. Culture is how people live, including what they eat, how they say hello, and the stories they tell. When we share our cultures, we teach our friends and classmates something new and exciting.
It is important to respect and appreciate each person’s uniqueness. When we notice similarities, we can feel connected. When we notice differences, we can be curious and kind. By celebrating what makes us special, we build a classroom where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Pasaje Nuestras Diferencias Spanish Reading Pasaje Sobre Nuestras Diferencias
Pasaje de Lectura • Español
Cada uno de nosotros es único de muchas maneras. Tenemos diferentes colores de pelo, formas de ojos y tonos de piel. Algunos de nosotros hablamos más de un idioma o probamos comidas que otros nunca han probado. Estas diferencias nos ayudan a aprender nuevas ideas y tradiciones.
Venimos de muchas culturas, lo que significa que celebramos distintas fiestas, usamos ropa diferente y escuchamos música variada. La cultura es la forma en que vive la gente: incluye lo que come, cómo saluda y las historias que cuenta. Cuando compartimos nuestras culturas, enseñamos a nuestros amigos y compañeros algo nuevo y emocionante.
Es importante respetar y apreciar la singularidad de cada persona. Cuando notamos similitudes, podemos sentirnos conectados. Cuando vemos diferencias, podemos ser curiosos y amables. Al celebrar lo que nos hace especiales, construimos un salón de clases donde todos se sienten bienvenidos y valorados.
Cultural Differences Matching Game Cards Activity Matching Game Cards
Cut along the dashed lines. Mix the picture cards and label cards face down. Match the picture to its description and say the name in English and Spanish!
🪅
Picture Card
Piñata / Piñata
A colorful container filled with candy and toys, used in Mexican celebrations.
Un recipiente colorido lleno de dulces y juguetes, usado en celebraciones mexicanas.
🍣
Picture Card
Sushi / Sushi
A Japanese dish of rice and fish or vegetables wrapped in seaweed.
Un plato japonés de arroz y pescado o vegetales envueltos en alga.
👘
Picture Card
Kimono / Kimono
Traditional Japanese clothing with long sleeves and a sash.
Ropa tradicional japonesa con mangas largas y cinturón.
💃
Picture Card
Flamenco Dance / Baile Flamenco
A Spanish dance with rhythmic footwork and hand clapping.
Un baile español con zapateado rítmico y palmadas.
🪔
Picture Card
Diwali / Diwali
The Festival of Lights in India when people light lamps to celebrate.
Festival de las Luces en India donde la gente enciende lámparas para celebrar.
🏮
Picture Card
Chinese New Year / Año Nuevo Chino
Celebration of the new lunar year with red decorations and fireworks.
Celebración del nuevo año lunar con decoraciones rojas y fuegos artificiales.
Celebrating Differences Worksheet Bilingual Student Activity Celebrating Differences
Celebrando Diferencias
Name: __________________
Date: __________________
1
Draw Yourself / Dibuja a Ti Mismo(a)
Draw one physical or cultural feature that makes you unique. / Dibuja una característica física o cultural que te hace único(a).
2
Appreciate a Classmate / Aprecia a Compañero(a)
Draw or write one thing you appreciate about a classmate. / Dibuja o escribe una cosa que aprecies de un compañero(a).
3
Why Celebrate Differences? / ¿Por qué celebrar las diferencias?
Write one sentence explaining why it’s important. / Escribe una oración explicando por qué es importante.
