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Unit 1—Handout 5
The Prejudice Book:
Activities for the Classroom
David A. Shiman
Activity: Prejudice and Dislike
Goal: To help students distinguish between a prejudice against a group and a dislike of an
individual.
Procedure: First discuss term “dislike” and “prejudice” with the class. Then ask two students to read the
dialogues below. For each of the dialogues below, ask the students if the attitude displayed is a prejudice or
a dislike. Students should be encouraged to explain the difference between the two terms in their own words.
DIALOGUE #1
Mary: I don’t like that Bobby Lewis.
Josh: Why?
Mary: He’s always teasing people.
Josh: How do you mean?
Mary: Oh, you know. He calls Carol “dummy” and laughs when she makes mistakes in class.
Josh: Well, she’s not very smart.
Mary: That’s not the point. He’s just mean. And he calls me “skinny” every time he sees me.
Josh: Oh, Bobby doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just trying to be friendly.
Mary: I don’t care. I still can’t stand him.
DIALOGUE #2
John: Did you know that those new boys David and Paul Rosen are Jewish?
Ann: Yeah, what about it?
John: Well, I hope they don’t try to run everything.
Ann: What do you mean?
John: Oh, you know what I mean. Jews always want to be class offi cers. They always want to be president
of the school clubs.
Ann: But Carol Brown is Jewish and she’s not bossy.
John: There are always some exceptions. You watch, those Rosen boys will be just like all the others.
DIALOGUE #3
Bob: Did you hear that somebody broke into Tommy’s home last night and stole his family’s stereo and
television?
Alice: Yeah, wasn’t it terrible. I wonder who did it.
Bob: I can guess.
Alice: Really, who do you think?
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