Balanced Learning Resources
Lesson Plans

Grade: K-2. Students learn about Ruby Bridges, a young girl who helped change history during desegregation as the first African American student to attend an all-white school in her community. Ruby showed bravery and kindness when she faced unfair treatment at school.

Grades 3-5. In this lesson students watch the video The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss, to learn what prejudice is and how to respond to unkind behavior with empathy and courage. After discussing key themes from the video, students learn the 10 Upstander Steps and work in small groups to create and perform their own role-plays showing how an upstander can help in a hurtful situation.

Grades K-2. In this Super Monsters episode, the young monsters make unkind, prejudiced jokes about ogres without realizing how hurtful their words can be.

Grades 6-12. In this lesson, students watch the What Would You Do? segment “Antisemitism and Jewish Discrimination: What Would You Do?” which places unsuspecting bystanders in situations where Jewish people experience discrimination in a public setting.

Grades 6-12. Students watch a hidden-camera scenario where a family with same-sex parents is refused restaurant service. Students identify what’s unfair, analyze how bystanders and upstanders respond, and practice (via role play) 10 Upstander Steps that are kind, safe, truthful, and inclusive. As students learn upstander skills, they discover how to make public spaces safer and more respectful for everyone.

Grades 6-12. Students analyze a hidden-camera scenario from What Would You Do? in which a Muslim couple is denied restaurant service because of their appearance. Using 10 Upstander Steps, students evaluate how bystanders respond and identify which reactions show courage, kindness, and inclusion. Students then discuss and role-play what they themselves can say or do to stand up for others when prejudice or unkind behavior occurs.

Grades 3-5. Students explore the idea of fairness by watching short, familiar movie clips that show fair and unfair choices. Using a kid-friendly Justice Checklist, they learn how kindness, safety, and inclusion guide fair actions that help everyone feel valued and respected.

Grades: K-2. In this lesson, students use a kid-friendly Justice Checklist to spot unfair moments, find fair fixes, and practice kindness, safety, and inclusion through role-play.