Learning Point-of-View Through Other’s Eyes

Wendy S. Girnis

Synopsis

This unit was created for third through fifth grade students and will cover Five Common Core State Standards, three reading and two writing standards. The reading standards covered in this unit are RI6, RL6, and RI9. The writing standards covered are W1 and W6. The goal of this unit is to have students understand racism and bias as it pertains to their lives. Third through fifth grade students have a difficult time understanding what bias and racism is. They are quick to throw the word racist around if someone does something to them, they don’t agree with or if someone holds them accountable for something they don’t want to take responsibility for. Using picture books and nonfiction books about racism and bias, students will learn about point-of-view and perspective. Students will write journal entries as one of the characters in the picture books, and because of the cultural relevance of my students, they will conclude the unit with an essay about a time when they were treated unfairly. Materials being used will be age appropriate and deal with the topic of racism and bias using authentic examples for younger students’ understanding.

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