Module 5: Activities
Advocacy and Activism

Activity 1: Introduction and Objectives

Review the introduction, objectives and evaluation rubric for this module.

Activity 2: Plans and Policies -- Are you prepared?

1. Read Responding to Hate at School: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors and Administrators. Pay particular attention to the Respect Policy of Mariner High School in Everett, Washington.
   
   
2. What policies, procedures, committees, clubs, or organizations does your school have in place that address issues of tolerance, diversity, and equity?
   
   
3. Please share with the group any active measures your institution has made that can help deal with instances of hatred. Consider and compare your school's plans with those described in the readings.

   Email Subject Line:
   Mod 5: Act 2a My School's Plan

4. In a posting to the e-mail list consider these questions and respond to your colleague's postings.

• Is your institution proactive and prepared to deal with hate incidents?
• Given the information you have just read, are there elements in your school policies that could be improved?
• Is there a peer mediated conflict resolution program at your school?
• Relate a specific hate incident at your school or and explain how it was handled.

Email Subject Line:
Mod 5: Act 2b My School's Response Plan

Activity 3: Trouble at Witness High

1. Read the scenario: Trouble at Witness High.
   
   
2. Choose the role of teacher, counselor, administrator or parent as you think about how to turn around this troubled school.
   
   
3. Keeping in mind the Guidelines from Responding to Hate at School a Guide for Teachers, Counselors and Administrators, what are the first three things you would do to help change the atmosphere at this school?
   
   
4. Post your 'Three Steps' to the e-mail list. Consider and comment on each other's ideas.

Email Subject Line:
Mod 5: Act 3 Three Steps

Activity 4: Empowering Your Students

Review Guideline 3.3 Encouraging Student Activism in Responding to Hate at School: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors and Administrators.

Consider these questions when you post your thoughts to the e-mail list:

• What is necessary to establish a student group at your school?
• Does your school have any active student groups that promote diversity and tolerance?
• What problems do you anticipate in mobilizing student activism?
• Does your school have a gay student organization? If not, how do you think your institution would respond to such a student generated movement?
• What can you realistically do to promote policies of respect and tolerance in your school?

Email Subject Line:
Mod 5: Act 4 Encouraging Student Activism

Each week Reflective Journal Questions will be listed for your consideration. Reflect on a few of these ideas or ask questions and offer answers of your own.

***Reflective Journals are due by the end of the Module (Monday of each week).

Record your responses in your Reflective Journal. A reflective journal entry could be just a paragraph or much longer. The idea is to think (and write) about your thinking.

• Have you ever confronted a student or colleague about prejudiced behavior? How would you define confrontation? What do you think the consequences of confrontation would be in your institution?
• What can you do if your administration is in denial about diversity issues?
• Is empathy an explicit part of your teaching? Do you teach how to be empathetic? How do you model empathy?
• How does your school handle Special Ed? (Inclusion vs. Self contained.)
• Describe racial tensions at your school
• Describe student and parent attitudes towards diversity issues at your school.
• What would be the consequences to your career of confronting bias or discrimination in your institution? Can you provide an example? Is it done?
• What can be done to insure positive cultural imagery?
• Do you feel you were an active participant in this week's discussions?

TIP: Option A: Start your reflective journal using th Quick Topic message system or a word processor. If you use QT, be sure to email me an invitation to your message area. Option B: If you are word-processing your journal, use the Journal Drop box on the SiteMap page to send me a copy of your journal.