Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What is a stereotype? How do stereotypes affect society? How can we instead choose different perspectives?

Teaching Suggestion: In several stories in the novel, students face stereotypes and defy them. Exploring existing stereotypes and their prevalence in our society can prompt reflection and connection to the novel during reading, especially to the theme of The Power of Perspective. Discussing ways to fight against stereotypes can help readers see characters more accurately and apply that lesson beyond the novel. Readers might begin with the Kids Help Phone resource on recognizing types of stereotypes and then analyze commercials, print ads, film clips, and other media sources to identify stereotypes and discuss effects.

• With “Talking to Kids About Gender Stereotypes,” Media Smarts presents some ways to talk about stereotypes in the media. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)
• “Understanding Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination” from Kids Help Phone presents different types of stereotypes and their effects; the resource also explains the difference between these terms.

Short Activity

Characters in the book Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks experience a variety of conflicts and concerns.