More Than Mean Words Lesson Plan More Than Just Mean Words
Lesson Plan • 6th Grade Social Justice
Duration 35 min
Learning Objective
Students will be able to define racism , prejudice , and discrimination , and differentiate between them using real-world scenarios.
Why This Matters
Equips students with the vocabulary to identify and challenge unfair treatment, promoting a more just and understanding community.
Preparation & Materials
Teacher Tasks
Review Slide Deck and Worksheet.
Make copies of Key Vocabulary Worksheet .
Prepare projector for What is Racism? Slides .
Gather index cards for the 3-2-1 Exit Ticket .
Required Materials
Projector/Whiteboard
Student Worksheets
Markers or Pens
Index Cards or Paper Slips
Instructional Sequence
5m
Warm-Up: What is Fairness?
Project the first slide: "What does 'fairness' mean to you?"
Discussion: Pairs share, then whole group. Guide them to consider how fairness relates to treating people equally.
10m
Introduce & Define Key Terms
Define Prejudice (thought), Discrimination (action), and Racism (prejudice + power).
Activity: Distribute the worksheet. Students fill in definitions as you progress through the slides.
15m
Scenario Discussion Activity
Divide into groups of 3-4. Advance through the scenario slides.
Facilitation: Groups discuss if each scenario is Prejudice, Discrimination, or Racism. Review as a whole group after.
5m
Exit Ticket: 3-2-1 Reflection
Students write: 3 new things learned, 2 ways to stand up, 1 question they have.
Differentiation: For students who need more support, provide a word bank or sentence starters for the reflection. For advanced students, ask them to identify "systems" in their own school or community.
What is Racism Slides What is Racism?
More Than Just Mean Words
What is Fairness?
Think, Pair, Share:
What does "fairness" mean to you?
How do we know when something is fair or unfair?
Discuss with your neighbor for 2 minutes.
Understanding Prejudice
The Definition
A preconceived opinion, feeling, or attitude formed without enough knowledge or reason.
It's a THOUGHT or FEELING.
Example
Believing that all teenagers are irresponsible just because of their age.
Understanding Discrimination
The Definition
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people (race, age, sex, etc.).
It's an ACTION.
Example
Not hiring someone for a job because of their gender, even if they are qualified.
Understanding Racism
The Definition
Prejudice or discrimination directed against someone of a different race based on a belief in racial superiority.
It's PREJUDICE + POWER.
Example
A landlord refusing to rent to a family because of their race, backed by systemic practices that limit housing.
Scenario Practice:
What Do You Think?
For each example, discuss with your group: Is it Prejudice, Discrimination, or Racism?
Scenario 1: Rock Music Bias
Example 1
"A student believes that all teenagers who listen to rock music are rebellious. They avoid talking to anyone who wears a band t-shirt, even if they don't know them."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
Scenario 2: Store Surveillance
Example 2
"A store owner follows only customers of a certain racial background around their store, assuming they are more likely to steal."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
Scenario 3: School Policy Impact
Example 3
"A school board creates a policy that makes it significantly harder for students from low-income neighborhoods, predominantly populated by a specific racial group, to access advanced courses."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
Scenario 4: Coach's Assumption
Example 4
"A coach doesn't pick a student for the team because he thinks all kids from that student's country aren't good at sports, even though he's never seen them play."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
Scenario 5: Accent Bias
Example 5
"During a group project, one student consistently ignores the suggestions of a classmate because of her accent, assuming her ideas are not as good."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
Scenario 6: Hiring Algorithm
Example 6
"A company's hiring algorithm disproportionately screens out qualified candidates from certain minority groups, perpetuating a lack of diversity in higher-level positions."
Discuss with your group:
Which term best describes this? Why?
3-2-1 Reflection
3
New things you learned today.
2
Ways you can stand up against prejudice, discrimination, or racism.
1
Question you still have.
Key Vocabulary Worksheet Key Vocabulary
More Than Just Mean Words • Social Justice 6
Name:
Date:
Instructions: As we discuss each term in class, write down its definition in your own words. Think about the key ideas for each word and provide a unique example.
1
Prejudice
Definition (In your own words)
My Own Example
2
Discrimination
Definition (In your own words)
My Own Example
3
Racism
Definition (In your own words)
My Own Example
Reflection Question
How are these three terms connected, and what is one important difference between them?
Key Vocabulary Answer Key Teacher Answer Key & Facilitation Guide
More Than Just Mean Words
Key Vocabulary Definitions
Prejudice
Focus: A thought or feeling.
A "pre-judgement" or preconceived opinion made without enough evidence. It lives inside our heads and hearts.
Discrimination
Focus: An action.
The actual behavior or unfair treatment of a person or group. This is the outward expression of prejudice.
Racism
Focus: Prejudice + Power.
Prejudice and discrimination against a racial group, specifically when it is backed by institutional or systemic power (like laws, policies, or long-term social patterns).
Scenario Discussion Guide
1
Rock Music Bias → Prejudice
The student has a belief (rebellious) but the primary action is just avoiding them. It’s an internal feeling influencing choice.
2
Store Surveillance → Discrimination
The owner is taking an action (following them) based on an assumption about their race.
3
School Policy → Racism
This is a policy (systemic power) that disproportionately affects a specific racial group, even if the policy doesn't name race specifically.
4
Coach's Assumption → Discrimination
The coach is taking the action of excluding the student based on a stereotype about their national origin.
5
Accent Bias → Discrimination
Ignoring someone is an action (or a refusal to act fairly) based on prejudice against their accent.
6
Hiring Algorithm → Racism
This is "Systemic Racism." A tool/process (power) is built on historical bias that keeps certain racial groups out of high-level jobs.
Facilitation Tip
"Remind students that these terms are not mutually exclusive. Discrimination is often the result of prejudice, and racism is the systemic application of both. The goal is to see that racism isn't just one person being 'mean'—it can be built into how things work."
