A Lesson on Stereotypes (One of my favorites)

Both fifth grade classes at Folkungaskolan had 100% native Swedes. While Folkungaskolan has many students of differing nationalities, the fifth grade had an unusual lack of diversity. In my first week with these students, I observed an air of superiority in their interactions with students in the school from other countries. The classroom teacher expressed concern that if left unaddressed, these intolerant attitudes could escalate into racist tendencies. I decided these students could benefit from a lesson about stereotypes. It was clear these students meant no harm; they simply didn’t understand how hurtful racial stereotypes can be. To raise awareness I designed a lesson to guide them toward considering stereotypes from multiple perspectives.


I began the lesson by explaining the term "stereotype" and giving a few examples (the French are all snooty, the Swiss are all beautiful, etc.) Then I asked the students to break into groups of 4 and discuss stereotypes they believe or have heard about Americans and stereotypes they think Americans believe about Swedes. After a few minutes we returned to the whole group setting. The students raised their hands to share and I wrote a list on the board. For Americans it was very predictable:

• Fat (most of the answers had to do with Americans being fat)
• Lazy/selfish
• Happy 
• Rich

Next we made a list for Swedes. The things the kids said they thought Americans said about Swedes included: "the best,"thin, and blonde hair and blue eyes. After they shared these answers I pulled out a paper and pointed to it. 
"Are you ready to hear what Americans actually think about Swedes?" I had compose this list by asking several Americans (both children and adults) what stereotypes they've heard or believe about Swedes. A few students looked a little nervous but they were all excited to hear the list.

I wrote each one on the board and explained:

• The best  Arrogant: It's interesting that you said "the best" because in America, many people believe Swedes are arrogant and superior. Arrogant is when people think too highly of themsleves. They think of you the way you've said you think of the French.
• Thin  Giant: I'm sorry. No one I asked said they think Swedes are thin. Many Americans think Swedes are giants. They think you start at 6 ft tall and that you are big from all the potatoes and meatballs.
• Blonde hair and blue eyes: You were right about this one. 
• Stoic: Many people think Swedes walk around like robots, they don't get very happy or very sad
• Ditzy: Not just in America, several countries think Swedes are very ditzy and stupid.
• Swedish Chef: I know many of you all know this one. Many Americans think Swedes talk like the Swedish chef. 

(I played a youtube clip of the Swedish chef for the children who had not ever heard him. They were very amused That Americans think they sound that way).
I circled the list of Swedish stereotypes: arrogant, giant, blonde hair and blue eyes, stoic, ditzy, Swedish Chef.  

"Do you think these words describe you, your family, and your friends?" 

The answer was a resounding "No."

"Why do you think people in several different countries all say this about you if it isn't true?" Answers varied but all centered around one answer which hit the nail on the head, "I think that If they don't know us very well they may meet one Swede who seems this way and then say it about all of us. I also think people say these things because in TV shows, this is how they make Swedes look." 

"How do these words make you feel?" 

"Right now, funny. I think it is funny to hear these, they make me laugh. But if someone said it about me for real I would be sad and mad too."

"Do you think it is fair that their are many people out there who before even meeting you would decide not to be your friend because of these stereotypes?"

"No that isn't fair at all. Not all Swedes are this way. I dont want people to think I am this way." 

"Raise your hand if I am the first American you have ever met." All but three students raised their hands. I circled the list of American stereotypes: Fat, lazy/selfish, happy, rich. 

"Let's go through this one at a time, and please be very honest. You aren't going to hurt my feelings. I'll start from the bottom: Am I rich?" 

"Well you are a teacher and they don't make a lot of money, you said you share one house with four roommates, so no. I guess you aren't rich." 

"Ok what about happy?" 

"Yes, you seem to be a happy person. You smile a lot and are very friendly." 

"Well thank you. How about lazy? Am I lazy? Am I selfish?" 

"No!! You teach many classes for us and you come to our choir class during your breaks to hear us sing! You always put us first. You even came to our talent show and many of our parents didn't show up!" 

"Yes I care about you very very much and I will always work hard for you. So I'm not lazy and not selfish. Now I saved this one for last because I think many of you talked about this: All Americans are fat. So me then? I must be very very fat, yes?" 

"Nej Nika! No! You are not fat. But that is because you are special. aren't all the other Americans fat?" 

"Well let's find out. Raise your hand if you met Max at the talent show. Max is American, so he is also very fat, right?"

"No! Max is thin too!" 

"Ok you have seen pictures of my roommates and of my family. All of them are American. Are they fat?" 

"Not at all! they look normal. They look like Swedes!" 

"Exactly. It is true that many Americans suffer from obesity, but this is a problem many countries have, even Sweden. But does that mean everybody is obese? Your class room has many students who like Justin Bieber, but it wouldn't be true if I said every student here likes Justin Beiber. Every country has fat people and thin people. So why do you think everyone says Americans are so fat?" 

"For the same reasons Americans think we are all blonde. The tv characters! They make Americans seem fat and lazy so people believe it." 

"When I told you Americans say Swedes are blonde, arrogant, stoic, ditzy people who sound like the Swedish chef. How did that sound to you?" 

"It sounds silly. Its silly to even think that every swedish person is exactly the same way. I can't believe Americans said that and didn't know how wrong it is."

"How do you think it would sound to Max, or another American if I read them your American stereotypes?" 

"I think Max would think our list is just as silly and wrong as we think the other list is."

"Now you all have been very very mature about all of this. I knew I could do this lesson with you and you wouldn't take it personally or get your feelings hurt because you know I don't believe any of those stereotypes, so this is a safe place to discuss it. Many of you have even made jokes about it. But can you think of any reasons why saying a stereotype about someone you know might not be a good idea?"

"When we say it here in class we are talking about it and we know you don't mean it. But if I heard someone else say a stereotype for me in school or with friends, it would hurt my feelings. It's a bad idea to say because people could get hurt feelings."

"I think you are absolutely right. Can anyone else tell us why it's a bad idea to believe stereotypes?" 

"Even if you know a lot of people who are a way, some people might not be. I know a lot of snooty French people, but my best friend is French and she isn't snooty. If I thought all French people were snooty I never would invite her to play and then I wouldn't have my best friend."

"That's an excellent point! If we believed stereotypes, just think of all the wonderful people we never would've met. Everyone on earth is their own person with their own choices. It's very important to give everyone a chance and not judge them just because they are not from Sweden. If I thought all Swedes were Arrogant I might not have come to Sweden, and then I would've missed out on all of you!"

At the end of class one of the students who I thought about when I planned this lesson, raised her hand. "Nika, I don't have a question but I wanted to say on your first day here I saw you with Bjorn and my friend said you were the American teacher who would join our class. When they told me I said 'No, you are confused, she cant be the American. Our American teacher will be fat and much louder.' But now I think that if you had seen me and thought 'That can't be my student, my student will be ditzy and never smile.' It would make me feel sad. I'm very sorry I thought things before meeting you. I could've missed out on the beautiful person you are. I am very happy you are here and if I hear any Swedes stereotype other people I will give them a great big talk because my favorite person in the world is an American!" 

I think this discussion was very enlightening for everyone. They found the Swedish stereotypes to be very funny and ridiculous, which helped them to realize how ridiculous all stereotypes are. The last student's comments really meant so much to me. America is so far away and many of these kids hear things in the media and assume it is true. But this really proved just how open they are to reconsidering their point of views. 

Peanut Letter 4

Peanut's fourth letter!

Dear Class,

How is America? Ms. Rogers misses you a lot, but we're having so much fun in Sweden! Today I want to show you Ms. Rogers' most favorite place in all of Sweden: Trädgårdsföreningen! But you can just call it Garden Society Park!

Here we are at the bus stop. Ms. Rogers and I use the buses to get everywhere! 

 This is us at the park entrance! They have a lot of cool stuff here like a fountain, a gazebo, and even a restaurant made out of a greenhouse!

This Lion is the official mascot of Linköping so you see these everywhere! It's kind of like jaguar pawprints at your school! I wonder why no one has an elephant mascot?

Now this is my favorite part of the park: THE PLAYGROUND!!!

Swedish playgrounds have these amazing round swings you can ride with your pals!

Believe it or not this is actually a basketball court! They use astroturf or fake grass so you don't scrape your knee when you trip! Smart thinkin' Sweden!

After the playground we like to go for a hike. These stairs look like something out of a story book to me! They lead to a whole other part of the park that is surrounded by forest. Perfect for adventurers like me!

 

We always have a fun time exploring the woods. We've seen lots of jackrabbits here and its the perfect spot for bird watching which is very popular in Sweden

Did you know that Sweden isn't the actual name of the country? That's just what we call it in America. It's real name is Sverige (pronounced svair-ee-uh). America does that with a lot of countries. For example Japan is actually named Nihon (pronounced nee-hoan). 

I hope you liked my pictures! I'll write again soon!

The "Busiest" Teacher at Folkungaskolan

Recently, all Linköping schools received federal evaluations. People came into the school and "audited" the teaching and the school environment. The results are in and Folkungaskolan received the best report of any school in Linköping! The incredible teachers I work with have really earned this and I am so proud to be a part of it!

Today, the headmaster stopped me while I was running in between classes to tell me that I am the hardest working teacher at the school! This was very flattering! In Sweden teachers only teach one or two classes a day. However, I am a student teacher for two different grades (fourth and fifth) so I teach 4 to 6 classes a day. During my breaks I try to run to my students' Music classes because they love it when I sing with them! Other times I run to the high school English classes to talk to the students about what it is like to be a high school student in America and what pressures they face. So in this way I do have a fuller schedule than most teachers. but everyone at Folkungaskolan works very hard to give their students the best education possible. I think that is evident in their federal scores!

Most of the teachers spend their downtime in the personelrum (teachers lounge). I do this on some occasions but, in all honesty, I would much rather be singing with my students and meeting the high schoolers than sitting in the personelrum chatting. I love the teachers here but I also love the students and this is not just MY international experience...it is THEIRS as well.

Team Teaching

Classes were back in session yesterday. Karin is in Flensburg, Germany. Her substitute teacher is my friend Natalie! Natalie is one of the two Swedish student teachers who came to America as part of the exchange program. We were so excited to get the chance to teach together! We have become so close and I will really miss her when I leave. The students were painting their family trees today. They are really turning out great! It has been very fun to teach art to such a creative group and they seem to enjoy it so much. During English class Natalie and I team taught a lesson to introduce the "Rooms of a house" unit. I introduced the terms using a powerpoint with pictures from my house in Kentucky. Then we split the class in half and Natalie had one half work on a "Moving House" short play in English, while I had the other half partner off and use house floor plans to play a guessing game reminiscent of "Battleship." Each partner chose five family members and placed them throughout the house. Then they took turns guessing which where each family member was. After 20 minutes we switched so each group got to do both activities. I also taught the class the "My House" song Natalie and I wrote to integrate music into the new vocabulary.

In the grade 5 classes They have finished their presentations so we will spend the rest of the time doing open discussion. (they ask me questions and we discuss) I was blown away by the questions these students asked! They asked about Christmas traditions in America, Taxes and even the health care system. They are a very curious and insightful group!

Here are some of the tres my fourth graders are working on. Some of them have already started adding their family portraits!

Peanut Letter 3

Peanut's letter about Valborg

Dear Class,

Ms. Rogers and I chose to cancel our trip to Chamonix, France. We only have one month in Sweden so we decided we want to spend as much time with our students here as possible! But don't worry! This just means now I get to write you letters about all the awesome things in Linköping!

Today school was closed for Valborg! This is a special holiday to celebrate the first day of Spring in Sweden. Swedish Winters are very long so when Spring finally arrives Swedes are very excited! Can you believe the first day of Spring in Sweden is over a month later than the first day of Spring in America?!

To celebrate Valborg we walked to Kinda Canal where we watched choirs and marching bands perform!

It's Swedish tradition to build a great big bon fire on a raft and send it floating down the canal! This represents burning up the Winter months to make way for Spring! Oh and by the way, don't try this at home!

Lots of vendors come to the Canal to sell raffle tickets and cotton candy! Our cotton candy vendor measures your head and makes your cotton candy at least double the size!

After my cotton candy I was still hungry but Max wouldn't share. I think he's still mad because I ate all his lunch when he wasn't looking!

 

We had a wonderful time. My favorite part was the fireworks show at the end! Next time I'm going to tell you all about Ms. Rogers' favorite place in Sweden. But right now I've got to put first things first  and help Ms. Rogers plan her lessons!

Hejdå!

Authentic Engagement: Disco Style!

After school Max met my fellow teachers and I at Stora Torget for Fika to celebrate Simon's birthday! We had a wonderful discussion about the differences between our education systems. 

After Fika Max and I caught the bus back to Folkungaskolan for the talent show. Many of my fourth and fifth grade students sang, danced, and played instruments. It was not like any Elementary School talent show. These students are extremely gifted in music. It was really fun to get a chance to show my students off to Max. They are so talented! We video taped all of the acts performed by my kids. This talent show was a very big deal for all of them but for one student in particular. She is one of the students I ride the bus with. This morning we had a long talk about how this talent show would be her first time singing a solo. She was so nervous! She wouldn't tell me the song because she wanted it to be a surprise. When she got on that stage she sang like an angel. As a matter of fact, she won 2nd place!!! I was so proud! From the time Max and I arrived to the time we left we were surrounded by a crowd of my students. They were so excited to finally meet Max and talk to us together!

After the talent show there was a disco for the kids! They begged Max and I to come so we decided to stay. This was by far the most fun I've ever had at a school dance! The kids were so excited to teach us all their dances. We all had a blast. One little girl who has been very shy in class stuck with us the whole time and talked our ears off in English! This was so wonderful! Many of these children are used to learning English the way we learn Spanish in Elementary School. They learn from a Swedish teacher and if they don't understand they can ask in Swedish. So many of them are nervous to speak to me (someone who speaks only English) because they don't even realize how fluent they are. But when I get these opportunities to spend time with them outside of class and ask them to teach me to dance or other fun things, they are able to realize just how easy and fun it is to speak English with me! After they realize this, they are so excited to talk to me about anything and everything! Very few teachers were at the dance (Sweden is much more laid back about chaperoning). This turned out to be a great thing because instead of talking to the teachers all night, we spent the whole time dancing and having fun with the kids. In my education courses we studied different ways to create authentic real world situations for students to apply the skills they learn. I think having fun with your English teacher and using English to teach her to dance is as real world as it gets! This is so much better than just reading out of a textbook because they are applying English the way they would in real life: to have conversations, not staged conversations, real conversations about how "dreamy" Justin Beiber is, how weird Lady Ga Ga's clothes are, and everything else kids love to talk about at a school disco. Had I not been there, they would've had a great time speaking Swedish with their friends, but instead they got to have just as much fun with each other and with me in English!

It was a fantastic way to end the week!

Peanut Letter 2

Here is the letter Peanut sent to my American placement from Amsterdam.

Dear Class,

Hallo from Amsterdam! Wow this city is busy!! Everywhere you look there are bikes, trams, and cars zooming by! Amsterdam feels like they took New York City and crammed it into a smaller place that is now bursting at the seams!

The first thing we saw was the Van Gogh Museum! Van Gogh is a very famous artist who happens to be Ms. Rogers’ favorite! Unfortunately, her favorite painting, Starry Night, was on tour, but we did get to see 500 other paintings including his famous self-portrait! We couldn’t take any pictures in the Museum because the flash can damage these priceless paintings. But we made up for it by taking lots of pictures around town! Here is one of us at the enormous “I Amsterdam” sign! 

 

Here is a replica of Starry Night we found. A replica is like a copy that isn't made by the original artist. This one looks convincing though!

 

We spent most of the afternoon in this beautiful park! We climbed lots of trees and enjoyed the gorgeous day!

This was my favorite tree! Look how big it is! I never see trees this big back home! That's Ms. Rogers standing in front of it.

We came at a perfect time because all the tulips were beginning to bloom!! Amsterdam is famous for its tulips and I can see why! I also found this giant ice cream but for some reason it tasted like plastic!

In Europe they have chips just like we do, but they have different names and flavors. I found “Cool American” Doritos and bought them for Ms. Rogers because she is the coolest American in Amsterdam!

Well, that’s all for now! We have a big day of travel ahead of us to get back to Linkoping! I’ll write again soon!

Hejdå! (goodbye)