Teachers Guide - Operation Respect

Next Steps. Each unit ends with an overview of additional skills that are important to nurture in
your students and specific suggestions as to where you will find activities that address those
skills. This is where you’ll learn how to extend your program beyond Don’t Laugh at Me.
Anatomy of a Lesson
To help you quickly get the information you need for your planning, all of the core lesson plans
in this guide share certain features:
Activity Title: This includes a short description of the lesson.
The Information Corner: This is where you’ll find how physically active the lesson is; what level
of concentration children will need to do the lesson; the preparation time you’ll need for the
lesson; and the length of the lesson.
Objectives: This section lists the student outcomes for the lesson.
Materials: This section describes any materials you’ll need to do the lesson, as well as outlining
any preparation you’ll need to do in advance.
Gather Together: This section begins with an activity that is a “gathering”—a way to bring
children together for the work at hand. The gathering helps you introduce the lesson to
children. Feel free to paraphrase or make up your own introduction to place the lesson in the
context of your classroom’s work. You may also sing any of the songs provided on the CD to
help you celebrate your classroom’s growing sense of community. Singing these songs together
at the beginning or end of any activity in this guide will help you establish a sense of shared
community.
Close Together: Each lesson is followed by a period of reflection that asks children to think
about what they just learned and how they might apply what they have learned. This section is
where you’ll find concrete suggestions for this reflection. Also included is a closing activity, a
way to bring closure to your time together with children.
Curriculum Connections (Optional): This section includes optional extensions that link the
topic or skill to your core curriculum. Look for additional opportunities to infuse this topic into
your curriculum. The possibilities are endless!
Professional Development
To support you in this important work, you might find it helpful to attend an institute or hold a
professional development workshop at your school that addresses the themes of Don’t Laugh at
Me. Educators for Social Responsibility (800-370-2515), as well as the other organizations listed
in the back of this guide, provide excellent professional development opportunities and
resources. ESR provides professional development tailored to prepare teachers, staff, and other
providers to teach Don’t Laugh at Me. Additionally, programs are available through ESR to
extend the themes of the program or to meet to your site’s unique needs and challenges.
A Word Before You Begin
Basic to this guide is the assumption that children learn best through active involvement in their
learning. The success of this approach lies in developing a foundation to support the attributes
of any adventure—risk taking, fun, group work, and communication. Children will be looking
to you for their cues. So don’t be afraid to say you’re sorry, or that you made a mistake, or to
suggest another option when things aren’t going well. “Walk the talk” in terms of modeling the
skills of a caring classroom. Take the time to listen. Show your feelings. Celebrate the diversity
of your students. Take risks. But most of all, don’t forget to have fun and have a wonderful
Don’t Laugh at Me adventure!
Introduction © 2000 Operation Respect, Inc. and Educators for Social Responsibility 11