Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
Go through various magazines and find pictures of individuals of varying ages, skin color, weights, abilities, etc. Number each picture and post them on tagboard or on the chalkboard. Tell the students you want to see if they can match the people pictured to the descriptions (I made these up at random and used unisex names – you can choose to have people fit the profile or be totally opposite. For example, Mystery person #8 actually describes me, but the kids all thought it was a jock-looking guy). Read each description and have students vote on which person they think it is. After all descriptions have been read, unveil the actual identities.
What does the old saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” mean? How does that apply to the activity we did here today? Why is it unfair to judge people by the way they look?
* Variation 2: I have also done this activity to talk about internet safety – do you really know who you are talking to on the internet? Can you tell by a picture if someone is trustworthy? Is the picture/information really them or are they pretending to be someone else? What information about yourself is OK to give out on the internet?
Mystery Person #1
My name is Jordan. I am a teacher. I really love to read which is why I teach high school poetry and English classes. Someday I hope to write my own book. I think it will be a romance novel about a couple who falls in love in France.
Mystery Person #2
My name is Andi. I love to swim. I grew up in Florida and I used to go to the beach all the time when I was a kid. I don’t go swimming anymore though because I don’t want anyone to see me in a bathing suit. Instead, I usually just sit under an umbrella and watch others enjoy the water.
Mystery Person #3
My name is Toni. My favorite activities are hunting and fishing. My dad taught me everything I need to know. I’ll go hunting for anything: deer, bear, turkeys, squirrels – you name it, I’ll shoot it. I am really good with a bow and arrow because I practice a lot. I fish for trout and walleye.
Mystery Person #4
My name is Jesse. I was never very good at school. I had trouble sitting still in class and I just never understood what the teacher was trying to say. I got Fs in almost every subject except for phys ed and art. I always got As in those classes because I got to move around and be creative.
Mystery Person #5
My name is Taylor. I love music. I play 3 instruments: piano, trumpet and guitar. My favorite kind of music is disco but I’ll listen to anything. I’m even in a band called “The Minnesota Maniacs.” Someday maybe we’ll even go on tour.
Mystery Person #6
My name is Jamie. I got picked on a lot when I was growing up because of the way I look and even as an adult I still get teased. I have lots of friends and we do everything together. We go for walks, play Frisbee, play poker, and go bowling. Someday I hope to be able to walk my dog Sparky for a whole mile without a break.
Mystery Person #7
My name is Danny. I love video games. I could sit and play them for hours. My brother taught me how to play. I have about 40 different games. I am getting a Wii for Christmas from my brother. He wants me to play the tennis and boxing games.
Mystery Person #8
My name is Ray. I love sports and I watch ESPN all the time. If I had to pick my favorite sport, it would be baseball because I love the Minnesota Twins. Joe Mauer is the best but Justin Morneau is really good too. I can’t wait until the new stadium opens up.