Lesson Plan: Changing Perceptions

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Write the terms "stereotyping" and "discrimination" on the board. Ask student volunteers to define and give examples of these terms and to comment upon the harmful effects of stereotyping and discrimination. In small groups, have students consider whether stereotypes can ever be broken. What might change a person's stereotype of, or discriminatory actions toward, a person or group? Lead a discussion based on each group's input.

Inform students that some people believe that discriminatory treatment of Chinese-Canadians reached a turning point after Chinese-Canadians took part overseas during the Second World War.

Outline the Opportunity

In pairs, have students watch and listen to the clips titled:

"Not welcome anymore", "Finally getting the vote", "Entering the professions", "For the love of Chinatown", "How prevalent is prejudice?", "Protesting racism on TV", "The Hong Kong influx", and "Demanding justice",

in the topic A Tale of Perseverance: Chinese Immigration to Canada on the CBC Digital Archives website . As they review the clips, students will find and record information about types and degrees of racism and discrimination faced by Chinese-Canadians before and after the Second World War. They record their work on the download sheet Changing Perceptions (they will need two copies of the sheet in order to complete their notes).

Revisit and Reflect

Have partners present and discuss their completed charts. Ask students to comment on the impact of the Second World War on the treatment of Chinese-Canadians within Canada. Do students agree or disagree that such treatment changed as a result of the participation of Chinese-Canadians in the Second World War?

Assessment Tip

Collect students' completed charts to check for effort and accuracy.

Extension

Students can write a short story about the experience of racism and discrimination from the perspective of two Chinese-Canadians: one who grew up in Canada in the first half of the 20th century and one who grew up in Canada in the latter part of the 20th century.