What follows is a suggested approach to the teacher-led portion of the study. Note that the unit beginning with the Introduction through to its Conclusion is directed to the student. So that the student will be able to proceed independently, the complete study packet should be duplicated and handed out to each before beginning the study.
Assignments are individualized such that each student:
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*reads one story about his/her own culture and additional stories about two other cultural groups
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*completes analysis questions about the literature (see Lit Log)
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*takes an active voice in scheduled open forum discussion and synthesis activities by exchanging information from their individual readings (see Open Forum )
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*completes and submits written assignments to teacher (see Writers' Works)
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*writes for publication (optional)
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*plans and researches an idea for a short-term hands-on learning project
Pre-Lesson
Begin the study by outlining its purpose. Familiarize students with the content and skills with which they will be asked to involve themselves.
Use the words listed as vocabulary 1 to spark a pre-lesson discussion of individual perceptions about relationships among ethnic groups in America. (Forced participation is discouraged at this point.)
After having done this, begin the thematic portion of the study by orally reading and discussing the argument that is presented in the Introduction. Make students aware that these concepts will serve as an underlying focus throughout the study and for evaluating their perspectives about ethnic cultures.
Read aloud to the students, "Taking Issue." Survey the group to know where each stands on the issue. Divide students into teams and conduct an informal debate around the ideas presented in this section.
