Cultural Norms
SEL Domain(s): Empathy
Grades: 6-8
*Lesson may need to be modified to meet the specific needs of students
Description:
Students have quick conversations with multiple partners while secretly tallying dots on each other's sheets every time their partner exhibits a specific assigned behavior (like making eye contact or saying "like") — then, after the reveal that each dot represents "breaking" someone's cultural norm, they discuss what it felt like and write a private reflection on how to honor others' norms going forward.
Materials
Tally sheets and stickers, dots, or small tokens
Pens/pencils and paper for reflection
Pre-prepared slips of paper with secret "behaviors" written on them
Optional: chart paper or whiteboard for group brainstorm
Advance ask: students bring one object that's important to them for the community builder (or be ready to describe it)
