Your Words - A catalyst for Change - Embracing Our Differences
Your Words - A catalyst for Change - Embracing Our Differences
Your Words - A catalyst for Change - Embracing Our Differences
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
AMY MACDONALD<br />
Amy MacDonald is an internationally known children’s author. She is also a teaching<br />
artist with the Kennedy Center <strong>for</strong> Per<strong>for</strong>ming Arts in Washington, D.C. Amy’s “learn by<br />
doing” motto was demonstrated at a recent workshop in Sarasota where she worked<br />
with teachers to help support students as they wrote their own quotes <strong>for</strong> <strong>Embracing</strong><br />
<strong>Our</strong> <strong>Differences</strong> exhibition. The following are some of Amy’s helpful ideas and writing<br />
starters to help you begin to develop your own quote.<br />
WWW.AMYMACDONALD.COM<br />
AMYMAC@MAINE.RR.COM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
PART I<br />
Step 1. Define it.<br />
CONTENT: What is diversity?<br />
<br />
BRAINSTORM: What kinds of differences are there?<br />
Step 2. Write about it through Free Writing<br />
What does “<strong>Embracing</strong> our <strong>Differences</strong>” mean to me? Write <strong>for</strong> up to 10 minutes<br />
without pausing. Here are some prompts to help you get started:<br />
• What does embracing our differences or diversity mean to you?<br />
• Think about a time in your life when you were picked on or shunned <strong>for</strong> being<br />
different. What do you imagine it feels like to be bullied, discriminated against<br />
or shunned <strong>for</strong> being different?<br />
• What would you like to say to the bully/discriminator?<br />
• What would a perfect world look like to you?<br />
• What would the world be like if everything and everyone were the same?<br />
Essential Language: Free writing is done just <strong>for</strong> yourself, not <strong>for</strong> others. It is not<br />
structured. The only rule is to KEEP YOUR PENCIL MOVING.<br />
<br />
<br />
Step 3. Vocabulary<br />
We need a “vocabulary” <strong>for</strong> talking<br />
about this issue. Brainstorm words<br />
with friends or partners.<br />
Synonyms <strong>for</strong> embrace<br />
Synonyms <strong>for</strong> differences<br />
<strong>Words</strong> meaning the opposites<br />
of embrace<br />
<strong>Words</strong> meaning the opposites<br />
of different<br />
MOHANDAS GANDHI<br />
A Herald-Tribune Media Group Newspaper in Education Publication<br />
A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Change language