| Lesson
3:
Teacher Background:Teaching about Stereotyping
When
learning about the history and culture
of Wabanaki people, it is critical to
engage students in a discussion about
stereotyping, critical thinking and point
of view.
What Is Stereotyping?
Stereotyping is a learned form
of classifying and labeling others based
on inaccurate information or assumption
rather than on factual knowledge. Stereotypes,
both good and bad, are damaging because
they ignore individual differences and
assume that all people in a given category
are alike. Stereotyping can lead to prejudice*,
followed by discrimination** in the forms
of racism, sexism or discrimination against
foreigners, for example.
The article, “Countering Prejudice
Against American Indians and Alaska Natives
through Antibias Curriculum and Instruction,”
outlines important ideas about Native
American stereotypes and prejudice in
classroom curriculum. Read this article
as background information before leading
the lesson “Promoting Understanding.”
Many points outlined in this article may
also be used to engage students in a classroom
discussion.
* an adverse judgment
or opinion formed beforehand or without
knowledge or examination of the facts.
** unfair treatment of a person or group
on the basis of prejudice.
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