Embracing Our Differences Ohio - Resources

The goal of Embracing Our Differences Ohio is to create awareness and promote the value of diversity, the benefits of inclusion and the significance of active rejection of hatred and prejudice.  Children need to understand how diversity enriches their lives and how tolerance promotes a peaceful world and enhances their own freedom.  By understanding their differences better, children will see countless opportunities in their lives to celebrate diversity.
 
The goal of this resource guide is to provide Tri-County ESC area teachers with a variety of lesson plans and literature resources for teaching diversity and tolerance.  The guide addresses the following forms/types of diversity:  racial, gender, socio-economic, ethnic/cultural, religious, political, age, disabilities, physical attributes and environmental racism.  Teachers are encouraged to use, adapt or modify lessons to address their specific classroom needs and goals.  Both the lesson plans and the literature resources are grouped into three categories:  elementary (grades K-4), middle school (grades 5-8) and high school (grades 9-12).  Many lessons or resources in one grade-level band could easily be altered or expanded to other grade levels.  Thus teachers are encouraged to explore all grade-level segments.  This guide is designed to serve as a beginning point for teachers wanting to teach diversity and tolerance. Within many of the lessons are websites that offer countless other opportunities for classroom lessons and activities.  The Embracing Our Differences Committee researched sites and literature resources for over a month.  Within the guide are their recommendations that they judged to be excellent examples of quality lessons and books for teaching tolerance and diversity.
 
"Like snowflakes gently falling on a mountaintop, we are each alike, but also unique.  Together we create a beautiful landscape for all to enjoy."          Robin Dugan Wood, grade 5
 

Resources:
Introduction
Complete Resource Guide for Teachers
Instructional Resources
 
Development Team:
2010 Embracing Our Difference Ohio Teachers' Committee:
1.  Phil Fechuch                                                                                                5.  Rachel Miller
     Black River Local Schools                                                                              East Holmes Local Schools
     Black River High School                                                                                  Mt. Hope Elementary School
2.  Barb Kalie                                                                                                     6.  Dawn Blattel
     Orrville City Schools                                                                                         Wooster City Schools
     Maple Elementary School and North Elementary School                         Edgewood Middle School
3.  Catherine Lynch                                                                                          7.  Becky McMichael
     West Holmes Local Schools                                                                         Wooster City Schools
     Millersburg Elementary School                                                                      Parkview Elementary School
4.  Tricia Thorley                                                                                               8.  Susan Polly
     Wooster City Schools                                                                                      Black River Local Schools
     Wooster High School                                                                                      Black River Elementary School