# Lesson 215: Appreciating differences

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🔵 B. Understanding Others

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## Objective

I can notice that people are different in many ways and still be kind and respectful. I can use words that appreciate differences instead of teasing or being unkind.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: small hearts or star stickers to mark kind appreciation ideas

## Mini-lesson — People can be different and special

People in our world are not all the same. They may look, speak, move, or live in different ways. These differences can make our class feel interesting and special.

Ways people can be different

- Hair, skin, and eye color.
- Languages they speak at home.
- Foods they eat or celebrations they enjoy.
- Things they like to do and games they like to play.
- How their bodies move, hear, see, or learn.

Different does not mean better or worse

- We do not say one person is better because they are different.
- We do not tease or laugh at someone's difference.
- We remember: "Different is okay."

Kind words about differences

- "That is interesting. Tell me more."
- "I like how you do that."
- "We are different and we can still be friends."

When you feel unsure

- You can quietly ask an adult a question later.
- You can remember to play kindly even if you do not understand everything.
- You do not need to stare, point, or whisper about someone.

Including others kindly

- Invite someone different from you into a game when it feels safe and comfortable.
- Choose words that help people feel welcome, not left out.
- Ask, "What do you like to play?" and listen to their answer.

Adults can name appreciation out loud, such as "I like how our class has many different languages."

Picture strip: "Different and together"

## Guided Practice — Kind difference scripts

You and an adult will practise kind scripts to use when you notice a difference.

1. On a notebook page, draw three speech bubbles in a column. Number them 1, 2, and 3.
2. In bubble 1, the adult helps you write or trace: "We like different things and we can still be friends."
3. In bubble 2, write or trace: "That is interesting." or "I like how you do that."
4. In bubble 3, write or trace a sentence for when you feel unsure, such as: "If I have a question, I can ask the teacher later."
5. Next to each speech bubble, draw two stick figures who look a little different from each other (for example, different hair, height, or hobbies).
6. Practise reading the three bubbles aloud with the adult. Take turns being the person who speaks and the person who hears kind words.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Our different, special class

Use this practice to help your child notice kind differences in their class or family and talk about them with respect.

1. On a new page, draw three columns and label them: "How we look", "What we like", and "What we are good at".
2. In the first column, help the child draw or write gentle examples like "curly hair", "glasses", "different skin colors" or "freckles".
3. In the second column, add pictures or words for different interests, such as "football", "drawing", "reading", or "music".
4. In the third column, write or draw things people are good at, like "helping", "building", "running", or "making others laugh".
5. Talk with the child: "Which differences do you like in our class or family?" and "How can we show that these differences are special, not bad?"
6. Place a small heart or star next to ideas that make the child smile. Remind them that their own differences are also important and special.

## Quick Check — Appreciating differences

Answer each question about noticing differences, using kind words, and including others.

1) What does it mean to appreciate differences?

To laugh at people who are not like you. To notice differences and still be kind and respectful. To only play with people who are the same as you.
Appreciation means noticing and respecting differences kindly.

2) Which sentence is a kind way to talk about a difference?

"That is interesting. I like how you do that." "You are weird. Do not sit with me." "You cannot play because you are different."
Kind words help people feel safe and welcome.

3) Your classmate speaks another language at home. What could you do?

Tell them not to speak their language. Laugh when they say new words. Play kindly with them and listen when they talk.
Playing kindly shows you appreciate their language.

4) Two children like different games. One likes football and one likes drawing. What could they say?

"Only my game matters." "We like different things. We can take turns." "We cannot be friends."
Taking turns makes space for both differences.

5) Which is a respectful choice?

Saying "Different is okay" and using kind words. Whispering and pointing at someone's difference. Making a mean joke about someone.
Respectful choices help everyone feel safe.

6) You feel curious about a classmate's difference. What can you do?

Ask loud questions that might hurt their feelings. Make up stories about them. Play kindly now and ask an adult a question later.
Adults can help you learn in a gentle, respectful way.

7) Your friend says, "I wear glasses and you do not." What is a kind answer?

"Glasses look silly." "We are both special. Your glasses help you see." "You should not come to our game."
Kind answers show you value your friend.

8) Which sentence shows that you include someone?

"Do you want to play with us?" "Go away. You are not like us." "You cannot join because you are different."
Inviting someone is a strong inclusion skill.

9) When should you ask an adult for help?

When you and a friend like different colors. When you see someone eating a food you do not know. When people are being mean or unkind about someone's difference.
Adults should help when there is teasing or unkindness.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make everyone the same. To learn kind, respectful ways to appreciate differences. To only play with people who are just like us.
The goal is to appreciate differences with kindness and respect.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can name at least one way people can be different. Student understands that different does not mean better or worse. Student can use at least one kind script about differences. Student knows not to tease, whisper about, or stare at someone's difference. Student knows they can ask an adult for help if others are unkind about a difference.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can notice and appreciate differences kindly. 🙂 I understand a bit, but I want more practice. 😅 Appreciating differences still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Using kind words when I notice a difference Inviting someone different from me to play Telling an adult if someone is unkind about differences
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