Build A House
Build A House
Topic: Importance of Diversity
Empowerment Lesson Video: Importance of Diversity
Supplies:
- Shoe box or small box
- Glue
- Lego home pieces such as doors, windows, and trees
- Small doll furniture pieces
- Pebbles, sticks, leaves or other natural materials
- Other craft materials such as pompoms, tin foil, and tissue paper
Video Discussion:
Introduce the topic of diversity using an example from your own life.
Ask, “What does the word ‘diversity’ mean to you?”
Direct students to turn and talk to a partner. After a minute of discussion, bring the class back together and ask students to share their ideas.
Guide students to understand that diversity is all the ways that people are different.
Tell students they will be watching the video Importance of Diversity. Explain that the video presents role models talking about the importance of diversity.
After viewing the video, ask some or all of the following questions to discuss the video content:
- What are some valuable differences that people can bring to a group?
- Why are differences valuable?
- In what ways is our diverse?
- What would the world be like if everyone was exactly the same?
Activity Instructions:
Students will be working together to build a LEGO house. This activity highlights the importance of diversity by encouraging students to bring their unique skills, ideas, and perspectives to the project while working together to achieve a shared goal.
Every team is stronger because of its differences! In this activity, each member of your team will bring their own ideas and talents to work to design and build a LEGO house. No matter what role you are assigned, it is an important part of the team’s success. Together you’ll create something truly special!
Instructor Notes: Divide the students into groups of three, and evenly distribute the building materials to each group. Next, assign each student in the group a role: architect, landscape designer, or interior decorator.
- Work with your team to use the building materials and construct a house. Be sure to play the role you were assigned by your teacher.
- Architect: Plan the main structure of the house, including the walls, roof, and overall shape.
- Landscape designer: Create the outdoor areas around the house like the yard, garden, or pathways.
- Interior decorator: Decorate the inside of the house, adding furniture, selecting wall colors, and other special details.
- During the building process, try to keep your house and conversations secret. You wouldn’t want another group to copy your design ideas!
- Once your house is complete, you will share it with your classmates. Be ready to answer the following questions:
- How is your house the same/different than other groups’ houses?
- Why do you think all of the houses are different?
- How did your group work together? What went well? What could have gone better?
- What was it like to play your role? Was there another role you would have rather had? Why or why not?
- What would happen if all the houses in the world were identical?
