Schedule | TNT Originals | Turner Learning



Before Viewing
Discussing Prejudice and Discrimination



Prejudice and discrimination are often difficult to talk about. The following are some recommendations from the Anti-Defamation League on how to hold respectful and productive discussions concerning these issues. (Complete guidelines)


Things to Consider Before Using PASSING GLORY in the Classroom:

  1. Clarify your own attitudes and feelings about the issues of racism and other forms of prejudice and bigotry.

  2. Recognize that complex feelings, which may affect your own comfort level, are a natural part of the process of exploring racism.

  3. Address more sensitive issues after laying a foundation by discussing easier topics.

  4. Involve your students' families and other community members whenever possible.

  5. Establish discussion guidelines that everyone can agree on and adhere to.

  6. Keep in mind that fighting bigotry takes a concerted and sustained effort.

  7. Use teaching methods, such as cooperative learning, proven to be effective in addressing prejudice and improving inter-group understanding among children and young adults.

  8. Establish a common understanding of key concepts by introducing and discussing basic vocabulary words.


Establishing Ground Rules
"ROPES": Why establish ground rules? By defining the rules themselves, the students will feel invested in them. They will already be participating in the discussion, and will not expect to be lectured. If conflict erupts in the course of the discussion, the ground rules can remind them of the need for respect, openness and sensitivity.

  1. Explain the importance of ground rules.

  2. Write "Ground Rules" on the top of the board, and along the left side the letters R-O-P-E-S.

  3. Explain that the "ROPES" are a safety net, communally agreed-upon rules that everyone will follow.

  4. Ask the students to provide words that begin with the letters in "ROPES." When students answer with a word, ask why they have suggested that word. (Examples: "What does 'respect' mean to you?") After the students have exhausted their ideas, feel free to suggest your own.

  5. Ask if everyone agrees with the ground rules. Before you can proceed, everyone must agree to abide by the "ROPES."

  6. Keep the ground rules on the board during the discussion. Rewrite them before any class discussion of the video.


Developing a Common Language:
Why develop a common language? The students need a general understanding of the words used in discussing the video. By defining these basic terms, the students will identify examples of the words, and thereby gain an understanding that issues of prejudice and discrimination still exist and must be addressed.

  1. Before class prepare a Definitions Sheet with the key terms relevant to PASSING GLORY, or a broader sheet with a full list of terms.

  2. Divide the class into groups of 4 to 6 students.

  3. Explain the reason behind the exercise.

  4. Give each student a Definitions Sheet.

  5. Assign each group one word from the sheet. Have each group choose a student recorder, and then for 10-15 minutes discuss the meanings of the word and how they see it at work in society, particularly within the school itself. The recorder student should list these examples.

  6. Bring the class back together and have the student recorders from each of the groups read their lists in turn. Ask the rest of the class if they have any questions or ideas they would like to add.

  7. Have the student recorders post their examples around the classroom.

  8. Wrap up by reaffirming the importance of a common language, and share your ideas about how to discuss these terms.



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