I have an eclectic group of young people in my legal studies class representing many religions, races and ethnic groups. I have students from 21 different regions, races or cultures.
Students in my class are 14-16 years old and in every class there are students have only been in this country a short time.
We begin with law related speech class and we write opening statements, parole board hearings, and reviews of laws and other topics in the news. The students are passionate and interested in what is going on in the world and society and they also care very much about legal issues and controversies. One of the biggest challenges is getting students to see that they have the talent and ability to become this next generation of police officers, judges, senators, lobbyists, advocates, mediators and Supreme Court justices.
My Project
In my class I understand the importance of teaching tolerance. We have students from so many different backgrounds, many of them English language learners. Students come with many different beliefs and preconceived ideas about what many groups of people are like. One of the greatest gifts I give my students is the opportunity to be a cut above.
I want my students to be the children who have a mindset that is a cut above-this stands for Character, Understanding, and Tolerance.
I accomplish this goal by working with students the whole year, I show them videos that bring about discussion of real issues in society, we read articles for understanding, we watch movies and documentaries to have a better understanding. This coming week we will study every religion and meet some of the people who practice it via YouTube in order to take away some of the fear and ignorance that often accompanies some of these religions. Students will give speeches and we will use the microphones for not only the live speeches but for the recordings they will do of their public service announcements. Every student team will create a PSA about tolerance and it's practice. I I have seen the difference my program makes with students. I know one student at a time we can change the mindset that we all have to have one belief and one way of life. Teaching tolerance has been part of my curriculum for 21 years, having these resources so that students can film and produce a better quality public service announcement will allow us to share our videos on YouTube and spread the message of Tolerance.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Teacher Ryder Duffey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.