This Lesson Went Really Well

So a little bit ago, somebody introduced me to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

This is the Susan Boyle video. When I saw it, I was struck by the overwhelming possibility for teachable moments. Then I got this idea:

Step 1 - show the video to my resource classes.
Step 2 - give them a writing prompt. I asked them to reflect on what they thought of Susan when she first walked on stage. Were they like the audience members who rolled their eyes? What did they expect her performance to be like? What did this video teach them about their own prejudice and bias and how they judge people?
Step 3 - have them share their thoughts about those questions with the rest of the class and allow for one of those fantastic courageous conversations.
Step 4 - encourage them to do something about this. I charged them to keep this video in mind whenever they found themselves judging somebody based solely on their appearance.

This may sound really cheesy, but it was fantastically effective. I did this with my 10th graders and they loved it. The fact that this video is viral right now lead to total student buy in. They were all willing and eager to go along with me wherever I took it.

I know I am fortunate in that there is no set curriculum for my resource classes and therefore I was able to do this lesson. I hope other teachers can find a way to fit something like this in. It really seems to have made a difference in my students. I have since walked by and seen some of my students showing the Susan Boyle video to their friends and asking them the same questions i asked. How cool is that?