Two-Day Lesson Plan: Self-Awareness & Inclusion
Objective:
To foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where participants can explore their identities, values, and emotions. Learners will develop life skills and emotional intelligence to appreciate diverse perspectives, embrace collaboration, and support each other’s growth, promoting empathy, tolerance, and social cohesion.
Day 1: Understanding Self-Awareness and Individual Identity
Introduction (30 minutes)
- Icebreaker Activity: What Makes Me Unique
- Participants write down three unique things about themselves on sticky notes.
- Share in small groups and then discuss common themes in the large group.
Discussion: What is Self-Awareness? (30 minutes)
- Define self-awareness and its importance in personal growth and interpersonal relationships.
- Discuss emotional intelligence: recognizing, understanding, and managing our emotions, and recognizing emotions in others.
Activity 1: Values Clarification (1 hour)
- Provide participants with a list of values (e.g., honesty, respect, empathy, etc.).
- Participants identify their top five values individually.
- In small groups, discuss:
- Why these values matter to them?
- How do these values influence their identities?
Break (15 minutes)
Activity 2: Exploring Identity (45 minutes)
- Identity Wheel:
- Participants create an identity wheel that includes facets like culture, gender, values, beliefs, interests, and experiences.
- Reflect on how these aspects influence who they are and how they relate to others.
Wrap-Up of Day 1 (30 minutes)
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Reflection and Sharing:
- Invite participants to share one insight from the day.
- Prompt: “What surprised you most about yourself or others today?”
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Homework:
- Write a reflective journal on how their identities influence their perspectives and relationships.
Day 2: Building Inclusion and Empathy Through Collaboration
Introduction (15 minutes)
- Brief recap of key concepts from Day 1.
- Discuss the importance of inclusivity and empathy in a diverse environment.
Discussion: What is Inclusion? (30 minutes)
- Define inclusion and its role in creating respectful and inclusive environments.
- Exploring biases and stereotypes: how these can hinder inclusion.
Activity 3: The Perspective-Taking Exercise (1 hour)
- Participants pair up and share a personal experience or challenge they’ve faced.
- The listener must reflect on how their partner's experience shapes their worldview.
- Regroup and discuss:
- What insights did you gain about your partner?
- How can understanding others' perspectives improve our interactions?
Break (15 minutes)
Activity 4: Collaborative Problem-Solving (1 hour)
- Teams are given a scenario that requires working together to find a solution (e.g., a conflict in a community or workplace).
- Each group must incorporate diverse perspectives and values in their solution.
- Present solutions to the class, focusing on how collaboration and inclusion shaped their approach.
Wrap-Up and Reflection (30 minutes)
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Class Discussion:
- What have you learned about yourself and others over the two days?
- How can you incorporate self-awareness and inclusion in your daily life?
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Commitment Statements:
- Each participant shares one commitment they will take forward to foster inclusion in their environments.
Final Thoughts:
- Highlight the importance of continuing to learn about ourselves and others.
- Encourage participants to keep practicing self-awareness and inclusion in all aspects of their lives.
Materials Needed:
- Sticky notes and markers
- Worksheets for values clarification and identity wheel
- Scenario cards for collaborative problem-solving
- Journals or paper for reflections
Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality of reflections in journals.
- Engagement in group activities and presentations.
Follow-Up:
- Schedule a follow-up session to check in on commitments, share experiences, and continue the dialogue on inclusion and self-awareness.