PBIS: Tolerance and Acceptance

Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.01: Introduction to Differences

 

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Spoiler alert: diversity is kind of the whole reason that humans are humans.

Read up on evolution and see what we mean.

Imagine you were on a team with a bunch of your clones—a team of five Shmooper clones. Your task is to solve a computer problem. After an hour of finishing each other's sentences and giggling about it, how far would you actually get in solving that problem?

Bottom line? Diversity is good. Homogeneity is... not. Any kind of scientist will tell you that.

And hey, you know what else diversity is? Normal. As far as the existence of life goes, it's completely normal to be abnormal.

And since we live with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, it makes our lives a lot harder if we don't tolerate them—or better yet, accept them.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01: Learning to Accept Differences

Be Accept-tional

Look, Shmooper. You're stuck with yourself…for life.

Go ahead, have a brief existential crisis while you consider the fact that you are the one person you will spend the most time with for your entire life. And to accept this terrifying truth, it might help to accept yourself for who you are.

This means...

(1) acknowledging what makes you different, be it your skin color, eye shape, hair type, body type, native language, physical limitations, mental condition, religious beliefs, cultural background, sexual orientation, or anything else you were either born with or born into—the things you can't exactly change about yourself.

(2) accepting it. We're not telling you to like everything that makes you different (for now), but we are telling you to accept it.

You're unique. And there's nothing you can do about it.

Easier said than done, we know. But just think about how much better it would be to spend all your time with someone you accept.

Live and Let Live

You are going to disagree with the way people live their lives. It's pretty much inevitable.

For example, we don't agree with people who don't have Shmoop in their lives. Like, seriously? Shmoop is awesome. Who doesn't like Shmoop? What's wrong with those people?

Okay, we're getting emotional...

First, let's distinguish between two types of viewpoints: objective and subjective.

• Objective viewpoints are pretty straightforward: usually, one side is more right than the other, and this is based on cold, hard, scientific facts. Think the sky is green? Tough luck; it's blue. Convinced that 2 + 2 = 5? Sorry, but no. Set on Pluto being a planet? Come on, do your research.

• Subjective viewpoints are less based on facts; instead, they're based on personal feelings, tastes, emotions, experiences, etc. We're talking religion and whether or not Brussels sprouts are actually delicious.

We won't blame you for being intolerant of viewpoints that ignore reality and empirical evidence. We get that. We will, however, blame you for being intolerant of subjective viewpoints—opinions that no one can prove or disprove.

Let Bygones Stay Bygones

So, you disagree with someone about a subjective opinion and you let it get to you. You argue a lot. You get into a few fights. Now, there's a sense of hostility between the two of you, and you can't stand to see that person's face around the daycare center anymore.

Yes, daycare. Because only babies get into fights over what their favorite color is.

Being tolerant means understanding that there will be differences, but being able to address them and then put them aside. By that, we mean forgetting about ugly disputes, letting go of grudges, and moving on with your life. Tolerate your so-called archenemy's existence. Don't make everyone uncomfortable with your oh-so-obvious distaste toward someone.

Pointing is Rude

There's a right way and a wrong way to bring up someone's differences. It's okay to be curious, so long as you're not offensive. If you've spent the past week dreaming about pepperoni pizza and someone at your lunch table has no interest, don't press the issue. It could be due to an allergy, a cultural difference, or just a dislike of all things pie. Either way, it's their business, not yours, so enjoy your slice but don't force your pizza love on others.

We all have personal bubbles that we'd rather not have popped. Think about that bubble before you ask a question. Are you invading someone's privacy? If you think you might be, find a better way to ask—or don't ask at all. Each situation is different, of course, but you've got something called discretion—and you should use it.

In the Real World

Now read a real-world example of what happens when people aren't respectful of differences:

• "Arrest Made in Fatal Stabbing of Man"

Sample Lesson - Activity