Totally Tolerant: Spotting and Stopping Prejudice (Scholastic Choices)
Scholastic Choices Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Talking to teens about intolerance. This book discusses the nature and effects of intolerance and offers stories from real teens who talk about their encounters with prejudices in such areas as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, appearance, and social class.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does it mean to be tolerant of others?
Can you think of a time when someone showed tolerance? How did that make you feel?
Why do you think it is important to stop prejudice?
How can you help in creating an inclusive environment at school or at home?
What are some ways you can show kindness to someone who is different from you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story where you encountered diversity and how you handled it.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts without interrupting, validating their emotions as they share.
Connect the book's themes to real-life scenarios your child may encounter, asking hypothetical questions on how they would react.
Praise your child for sharing their thoughts and being open during these discussions, reinforcing positive behavior.
If your child struggles to answer, help by providing examples from the book and ask them what they would do in similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Recognizing and understanding diversity
Explanation: Through engaging real-life scenarios, 'Totally Tolerant' guides children on how to identify and appreciate differences among people.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to interact positively with diverse classmates and community members, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Identifying prejudice and stereotypes
Explanation: The book uses clear examples to demonstrate what prejudice and stereotypes look like, helping children understand these concepts.
Real-World Application: Armed with this knowledge, children can recognize prejudiced behavior in their surroundings and take steps to avoid perpetuating stereotypes.
Example Lesson: Developing empathy and compassion
Explanation: 'Totally Tolerant' encourages children to put themselves in others' shoes, promoting understanding and kindness.
Real-World Application: Empathy learned from the book can lead children to support peers who might be facing discrimination and advocate for fairness.
Example Lesson: Standing up against bullying
Explanation: The book imparts strategies for dealing with bullying, particularly when it stems from prejudice.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these strategies in school settings, helping to create a safer and more supportive space for everyone.
Example Lesson: Promoting inclusivity and tolerance
Explanation: Through positive messages and actionable advice, the book empowers children to promote inclusivity in their daily interactions.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to include others, regardless of their background, in their activities, enhancing social harmony and cooperation.