Diversity Lesson Plan

By: James Basolo

Book Title: Bluefish

Author: Pat Schmatz

Publication Date: August 6, 2013

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Grade Level: 6th Grade

Subject: Reading and Language Arts

Culture: Disabilities

Topic: Learning Disabilities

Social Justice Standard:

● Identity Standard #4: Students will express pride, confidence, and healthy self-esteem
without denying the value and dignity of other people.
● Diversity Standard #9: Students will respond to diversity by building empathy, respect,
understanding, and connection.
● Diversity Standard #6: Students will express comfort with people who are similar to and
different from them and engage respectfully with all people.

Nevada Academic Content Standards:

● Reading Standard for Literature- Grade 6 #2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text
and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct
from personal opinions or judgments
● Reading Standard for Literature- Grade 6 #7: Compare and contrast the experience of
reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version
of the text, including contrasting what they “see” and “hear” when reading the text to

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 what they perceive when they listen or watch

OBJECTIVE(S)

- Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to discuss key terms and describe ideas in
relation to Learning Disabilities by completing a worksheet with 90% accuracy.
- Students will be able to Identify.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

- A copy of the book Bluefish

- Pencil and paper for the notes after the book
- A copy of the lesson plan

Discussion Questions:

1. What is a learning disability?

2. How do you help someone with a learning disability to learn better?
3. How can learning disabilities affect a student’s social experience while in school?
4. What are some advantages you notice to seeing others learn in different ways?
5. How common are learning disabilities?

Vocabulary:

● Learning disability: Noun plural noun: learning disabilities a condition giving rise to difficulties
in acquiring knowledge and skills to the level expected of those of the same age, especially when
not associated with a physical handicap.
● Bully: /ˈbo͝olē/Verb: bullying seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as
vulnerable).
● Discrimination [ disˌkriməˈnā shən ] (noun) Unfair treatment of a person or group
based on prejudice or bias.

Procedure:

1. Introduce: Introduce the book to students and ask them if they know what a learning disability is.

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 Ask the students if they have ever seen someone with a learning disability.
2. Read the book bluefish by Pat Schmatz.
3. Discuss 1. What makes you think this book is going to be interesting?

2. What do you think the book is going to be about?

3. Have you ever helped someone with a learning disability?

4. What do we do when we see someone struggling?

5. What do you think the author is trying to tell us through the story?

4. Activities:

A: Think, Pair, Share: I will split the class into groups of three; I then assign each group a
different question or two to discuss with one another. After a certain amount of time, I will have
the groups present their answers to the questions in front of the class

B: Jigsaw: I will separate kids into groups of three or four and give each group an assigned topic
to research in the book. After about ten minutes of researching, I will have each student meet with
a different student from a group and compare their research and notes.

Assessment:

● Think, Pair, and Share: Students will be assessed on the think pair and share their participation
and how much thought they put into their answers to the best of their abilities. We will know how
much each student learned from the book.
● Jigsaw: Through the Jigsaw teaching, I will be able to know which student
understands what. Also, to see if I need to go back and reteach a specific part. This
lesson is for students to gain full knowledge of the full content. And the student
will have their score to make sure they have tried their hardest.

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