Diversity Lesson Plan

Teacher: Mrs. Jamie Lohmeyer

2/19/2020

Book: The Reason I Jump The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism By:
Naoki Higashida Translated by KA Yoshida and David Mitchell

Published: 2007
Grade Level: High School grades 9th-10th
Social Justice Standard: recognize and describe unfairness and injustice in many forms,
including attitudes, speech, behaviors, and practices.

Materials: The book The Reason I Jump The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with
Autism By: Naoki Higashida. Writing utensils, lined paper, poster board, and markers.

Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural

experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on an
extensive reading of world literature.
Objective: The student will be able to work with peers to promote civil, democratic
discussions and decision-making, and identify types of bias in a group presentation with 90%
accuracy.

Procedure: Introduce: Show the book The Reason I Jump The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-
Year-Old Boy with Autism By: Naoki Higashida and start a discussion about bias and
stereotypes of behaviors. A brief discussion of prejudice and stereotyping to follow. Ask students
to get a partner and discuss amongst themselves.
Read: Shared reading
Discuss: critical events in the book, and choices made by characters and bystanders regarding
social bias.
 Question 1: Do you know someone, a friend, or a member of your
own family, with autism?
 Question 2: What does society need to learn about autism?
 Question 3: Naoki feels guilt about having autism, what would you
say to him about that?
 Question 4: Do you think that you would interact with someone
who has autism differently after reading this book?
 Question 5: Have you learned anything that has surprised you so
far?
Activities:
  Working with a partner, students discuss and create a poster about
autism, reflecting what they have learned.
 With their partner, they will present their poster and use peer
teaching to educate the class.

Evaluation: The teacher checks student's understanding by evaluating facts from the poster
and class presentation.