We Are All Sisters and Brothers

Last week the 2nd grade students visited the Hub with their religion teachers to finish their lesson “We are all sisters and brothers.” The students discussed how God made everything and everyone, and so even people who are different than us are our brothers and sisters.

First, we watched and discussed the awesome YouTube video “Ode to Earth” showcasing some of the most unique people and places in creation. Then, we identified ways we are different from one another in the class–some are the oldest in their family, and some are the youngest. Some have a pet dog, others do not. Some are taller than others, and we have different hair and different favorite colors. Students were challenged to find someone different than themselves in each category, and tell one another “God made you, and you are my brother/sister.”

Next, we considered people from around the world. Students looked at pictures around the classroom showing diverse families from many countries. After observing similarities and differences in the pictures, students marked a paper under each one with a colorful fingerprint to show “These are my brothers and sisters” while repeating the phrase. When they had used all ten fingers, they knew it was time to return to our circle. We discussed some of the things we saw that surprised us and remembered that God made all these people.

Finally, we reviewed a PowerPoint with faces inspired by the photographs of Jorge Brantmayer and recited to each image “This is my sister/brother because God made him/her.” Finally, students approached a projected wall of many faces, choose someone different from themselves, and recited the same phrase individually, marking that face with a post-it.