Differnt But Equal - שונה אבל שווה

To show how it feels like to be different.

To learn to accept people and treat them with respect.

Step 1 - tag:

Play “tag” and give some of the chanichim disabilities: can’t see, can’t use one foot, and can’t hear...

Discuss the game: 

Ø      How did you feel?

Ø      Was the game harder with the disabilities?

Step 2:

Grades 3-4: the ugly duck:

Read the story out loud. Give each chanich a different character from the story. While you tell the story, they should act it pantomimed (without voice).

Discuss the story:

Ø      Why didn’t the ducks like the “ugly” duck?

Ø      How did he feel about their attitude?

Ø      Where they better than him in anything? (Their look, their behavior)

Grades 5-8: the language game:

The game is a little complicated but very successful.

Split your chanichim into 2 groups. Each group should create these sentences with their own sign:

Ø      Do you want to play with me ___________?

Ø      Yes

Ø      No

Ø      3 games

Example: the sign for saying “yes” is clapping your hands.

After 5-10 minutes the group starts to talk in the language they created. After 5 minutes of talking, take one chanich from each group and put him in the other group. He should try and talk to the group in their language (he doesn’t understand any thing...)

After 10 minutes of playing with the new member and only the new language, sit in a circle.

Ask the 2 chanichim you switched:

Ø      Could you understand anything in your second group?

Ø      How long did it take you?

Ask the whole group:

Ø      How were people trying to explain the new member their sign?

Ø       Did they talk to him at all?

Ø      If there is someone new in your group, how can you help him?

Step 4 - summery:

When we accept someone new to our society, we should make an effort letting him feel comfortable with our language and style of life.

Helping someone with disabilities is a great opportunity to learn different things about other life styles and fulfill the מצווה  of  "ואהבת לרעך כמוך"