Work Sample
Lesson Plan

Mitchell Hofer

Lesson Plan: Pride or Prejudice?

A lesson in Native American Stereotypes within American Society

I.                   Standard Addressed:

The following lesson plan addresses the NCSS/Minnesota Board of Teaching Standard I, “Native American Culture and Cultural Diversity,” with the performance expectation to demonstrate causes and effects of stereotyping on American Indians within their society and within society as a whole.

II.                Results/Expected Learning Outcome:

1.      Students will be able to identify how American Indian society is affected by team mascot portrayals

2.      Students will be able to identify how society as a whole is affected by stereotypical images of Native Americans

3.      Students will be able to defend their own position on the effects of American Indian mascots from an educated perspective stemming from this lessons content.

III.             Evaluation:

1.      Students will be evaluated based on their participation in group discussion and in class discussion

2.      Students will be evaluated based on the quality of information contained within an assigned creative project focused on ending Native American stereotypes.

IV.              Curriculum:

Lessons in stereotypes and other methods society uses to label people should be taught in conjunction with a sociology class.

V.                 Instruction:

1.      Begin class by talking about school pride and tradition.  Inquire about school mascots – how we identify with ours, how we identify other schools by theirs.

2.      Introduce the debate concerning American Indian mascots.  Survey the class as to how they feel about Native American mascots.  Do they feel Native American mascots have an impact on the American Indian community?  On society as a whole?

3.      Assign the following readings to be done in class by all students:

                                                               i.      Concerning UND name change: “Fighting must go; change name” – Grand Forks Herald  http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=18694&forumcomm_check_return&freebie_check&CFID=9157492&CFTOKEN=55570584&jsessionid=8830d5fb9077a3c224e5

                                                             ii.      American Psychological Association “Resolution Recommending the Immediate Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations http://www.apa.org/releases/ResAmIndianMascots.pdf

4.      Break class into small groups before continued discussion.  Assign each group each of the following:

                                                               i.      A sports logo with an American Indian mascot

                                                             ii.      One FAQ and response from American Indian Sports Team Mascots.org:  http://www.aistm.org/fr.faqs.htm

                                                            iii.      Printout of political cartoons: http://aistm.org/cartoons.htm

5.      Bring groups together once they have finished reading and discussing their material amongst themselves.  Begin reassessment using the UND article assigned to all students.

                                                               i.      Encourage groups to respond to questions and comments that reflect their FAQ and response.

6.      Assign creative project:

                                                               i.      All students will write a letter to an organization or sports team of their choice encouraging them to change their mascot based on what they have learned.  Students that do not support mascot changes may write a letter supporting the organization, but must counter the arguments against their use.

                                                             ii.      Teacher will review and grade the letters, students will receive extra credit for mailing their letters unless they are deemed inappropriate.

Questions:

1. (knowledge)  What are some symbols this school identifies itself with?
2. (comprehension) How does this school identify with its school mascot?  How we identify other schools by theirs?
3. (Application)  How is Native American society affected by “Indian” mascots and imagery?  How is all of society affected?
4. (Analysis)  Can the “Indian” mascot be done in a respectful way?
5. (Synthesis)  Do mascots such as the Vikings, Irish, Spartans have the same effect as “Indian” mascots on the societies they stemmed from and on society as a whole?
6. (Evaluation)  Do you feel it is important to stop using American Indian images as mascots?  Why or why not?