Classroom Lessons
At Operation Respect we believe that all young people deserve, and have the right, to learn in a safe, respectful and caring community. For those of you who have already begun work to create such an environment, the Don’t Laugh at Me curriculum can add extra passion and new dimensions to that effort. For those of you unsure of where to start, but who know that such a community of learning is what you seek, Don’t Laugh at Me is the perfect way to begin.
With music and other integrated arts activities included in each lesson, links to Common Core Standards, and grade level specific modifications, Don’t Laugh at Me engages students in experiences and learning through four cornerstone themes. Written by Laura Parker Roerden, the lessons of these themes build essential skills for reducing bullying and conflict, establishing a peaceful, supportive learning environment, and engaging young people in active participation in their community.
- Theme 1: Expressing Feelings
- Lesson 1: The “Don’t Laugh at Me” Song – Theme Song
A lesson to introduce participants to the Don’t Laugh at Me song - Lesson 2: Feelings Temperature
A lesson to help students identify how they feel and how those feelings are influenced by the moods of others and the events around them - Lesson 3: How would you feel if…
A lesson to teach students how to identify and articulate their own feelings and respect the feelings of others - Lesson 4: The Torn Heart
A lesson in which students explore the effect of “put-downs” and “put-ups.” - Lesson 5: Peace Place
A lesson to teach calming down strategies and create a “Peace Place”
- Lesson 1: The “Don’t Laugh at Me” Song – Theme Song
- Theme 2: Building Community
- Lesson 1: “This Little Light of Mine” – Theme song
A lesson to introduce the theme of Building Community using the music and lyrics of This Little Light of Mine - Lesson 2: The Caring Being
A lesson to explore positive and negative behaviors and social interactions - Lesson 3: Ridicule Free Zone
A lesson building on previous explorations of positive and negative behaviors towards committing to making the classroom and school a Ridicule-Free Zone. - Lesson 4: Conscious Acts of Caring
A lesson to examine kindness and caring in action
- Lesson 1: “This Little Light of Mine” – Theme song
- Theme 3: Resolving Conflict Creatively
- Lesson 1: “Down By the Riverside” – Theme song
A lesson to introduce the theme of Conflict Resolution using the music and lyrics of Down By the Riverside - Lesson 2: Walk in Another’s Shoes
A lesson to explore a different point of view or perspective - Lesson 3: Conflict Escalates
A lesson to explore how conflicts escalate or worsen - Lesson 4: Slowing Down the Escalator with “I” Messages
A lesson to learn how to use “I” messages to de-escalate conflict. - Lesson 5: Understanding Bullying
A lesson to help participants define bullying and learn the difference between bullying and conflict - Lesson 6: Upstander
A lesson to teach participants how to respond when they witness bullying
- Lesson 1: “Down By the Riverside” – Theme song
- Theme 4: Celebrating Diversity
- Lesson 1: “If I Had a Hammer” – Theme song
A lesson to introduce the theme of Celebrating Diversity using the music and lyrics of If I Had a Hammer - Lesson 2: Human Bingo
A lesson to explore and celebrate differences - Lesson 3: Cross the Line – We belong to many groups
A lesson to explore differences in people’s backgrounds and the experiences related to those backgrounds. - Lesson 4: Family Quilt
A lesson to celebrate the diversity of families
- Lesson 1: “If I Had a Hammer” – Theme song
The entire curriculum may be downloaded here.