Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is a stereotype? What is the difference between stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice? What are some ways that biased thinking and actions can impact people?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may struggle to articulate the differences among these terms clearly. The first resource in the list below is an excellent way to clear up any confusion. It is likely that students will focus their answers to the final question on the recipients of biased thoughts and actions--you might challenge them to think about how bias places limits on the functioning of our whole society and limits the potential of people who think and act in biased ways, as well.

• This 5-minute video offers an easy-to-understand and -remember explanation of the differences among stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination. (Note: Depending on context, this video may be more appropriate as a teacher-facing resource. Although it offers an excellent explanation for middle-grade students, it briefly references topics not appropriate for all classrooms.)
• This 2-minute video gently explains why all people have a tendency to think in stereotyped ways and provokes thought about how this can limit us.