Trudi Pinnick Wolfe, a counselor at Central Elementary School in Beech Grove, IN, suggests teaching students about diversity by using a simple box of crayons. First, pass out a piece of paper to each students. Next, tell the class that they can draw any picture they want, but can only use one crayon. After about five minutes, the students should be given a second sheet of paper. On this piece, they are allowed to use as many colors as they want. After another five minutes, have the students pick which picture they like best, explaining the reasons why. Inevitably, most students will lean towards the more colorful picture. You can use this as an opportunity to explain to the students how boring the world would be if we all looked the same. From here, transition into a reflection on how diversity is a positive thing.
Current events make an excellent tool for not only educating students about what's happening in the world, but as a gateway for learning about the cultural context in which events are taking place. For example, in the event of a natural disaster in a foreign country, divide the students into groups and have them each research one aspect of that country's history or culture, then give a presentation to the rest of the class on their topic. You will find that nearly every current event makes for a "teachable moment."
Religious holidays and cultural celebrations occur throughout the school year. These celebrations can be used as a launchpads for discussions on diversity. Encourage students from minority groups to give presentations on their culture's special days explaining the meaning and significance of the occasion. Students will also enjoy researching and presenting on cultural celebrations not their own, and this kind of research can broaden students' life and worldviews.
Even if your community is not a diverse one, you can still promote the idea of diversity by using teaching materials and displaying pictures in the classroom that feature children and individuals from multicultural backgrounds. For minority students, this sends a positive image that their culture is being recognized and acknowledged in the classroom, while impelling all students to become curious about cultures outside of their own.