We Are Not Same!

This STEM activity is suitable for preschool and elementary school levels. In this activity, children learn about their own bodies, personal differences or similarities, genders, respect for others, and the understanding that everyone is human. Students can engage in brainstorming and creative drama activities by questioning what kind of person emerges from the activity they perform.

To better understand personal differences, students can be asked about their personal preferences (such as glasses, favorite drinks, or things they enjoy doing), which can reinforce the activity.

Purpose of the Activity:

leaf Help students understand that personal differences exist

leaf Teach students that personal differences are normal

leaf Emphasize the importance of respecting personal differences

leaf Instill the understanding that despite outward appearances being different, we all share the same basic structure and are all human

Once Upon a Story

Tako and Ruka were sitting in their living room watching television. On a cultural channel, a regional folk dance competition was airing. People in colorful costumes were performing magnificent movements. Everyone was so well-coordinated that no one made any mistakes. Of course, in a competition like this, if they make mistakes, their scores drop, right?

Ruka was particularly mesmerized, watching without blinking. Tako finally broke the silence.

They're dancing wonderfully, aren't they?

I want to dance too!

Hehehe, I'd love to see how you dance, Ruka!

Hahaha, I'm sure we'd have so much fun! But they're dancing so beautifully. Look, it's really hard to distinguish one person from another...

You're only thinking that from their clothes and their dance, Ruka. People are very different from each other. So are all other creatures! I'm sure your people are like that too.

Yes, my own people are different. I'm a bit different from all of them, but you humans look so much alike! What's different about you? After all, you're all humans!

Not quite, Ruka. Of course, we're all human and equal as humans, but our physical features are different. Some of us are tall, some are short; some are dark-skinned, some are blond; some are thin, some are chubby. I'm sure there are similar differences in your people too. I don't know anything about you yet, but that's my guess.

Hmmm... Yes, you're right. Actually, I'm a bit different from my own people too, but you humans have different colors too! Some of you are red, some are green.

Hahaha, those are our clothes, Ruka. Every human is the same, but our appearances are different from each other. That's all. Would you like to do an activity related to this?

Yeees! That's the sentence I've been waiting for. Come on, let's get up. Put on your lab coat, tell me the materials, and let's get started!

Tako went straight to his room, printed out a few computer sheets, handed them to Ruka, and put on his lab coat. They gathered the remaining materials and began the activity. Let's also try the same experiment with them. Shall we?

Materials

Scissors Glue Printouts

Activity

Step I

Firstly, for this activity, you need to download the activity file. Download the file from the link below and print it out. The paper with the skeleton outline is our main sheet. In the following steps, we will examine the items and cut out the ones we like, then paste them onto the paper with the skeleton outline.

Step II

Now we need to choose the body parts to paste onto the skeleton. Which skin tone do you prefer? Light, dark, or medium? People have different skin tones. Their eye and hair colors also vary... Their heights and weights differ too. Choose the image that matches your preferred skin tone and cut it out. You can ask adults for help in this step.

Step III

Now, we need to carefully glue the selected skin tone onto the paper with the skeleton. Use glue carefully to avoid spreading it everywhere, ensuring it aligns neatly over the skeleton.

Step IV

In the cutouts we've taken, there's a page with hair. Now, select a hairstyle and cut it out. Paste the hair neatly onto the head of the body we glued earlier, ensuring it aligns correctly. Use an adequate amount of glue again.

Step V

Finally, let's select clothes from the clothing page. Choose a shirt, pants or skirt, shoes, etc. If you don't find clothes in the colors you like, there are also colorless clothes that you can color or design as you wish. Cut out the selected clothes neatly and paste them in their respective places.

Step VI

Finished at last! Even though we cut and pasted many times, now we have a child exactly as we wanted! Compare the doll you made with your friend's. Are there any similarities? Are they completely different? People are like this too. Not just the color of our skin, eyes, hair, height, or weight, but also our tastes differ.

Can there be two people who look exactly alike? Yes! We call them twins. All twins may not be exactly alike, but there are twins who are exactly alike. Have you ever seen such twins?

Attention!

This activity can be done even without printing. Children can compare and evaluate different pictures they draw.

While adults can help in cutting, it is recommended that children do the activity themselves.

There are drawings in the activities that are not colored. Children can create their own designs if they wish.

Evaluation Questions

yaprak What color clothes is the person you chose wearing?

Yaprak In your opinion, what kind of person is this?

Yaprak What ice cream flavor do you think this person might like?

Yaprak In your opinion, how old is this person?

yaprak Have you ever seen a very different person? Can you describe them to us?

Yaprak Do you think someone looks very different, does that make them less of a person?

Yaprak If you went to a very distant country where everyone looked different from you and they stared at you strangely, how would you feel?

Activity File

Scientific Concepts

Scientific concepts related to this activity include: Individual, Diversity, Genetics, Heredity, and DNA. You can explore interesting information by researching these concepts on your own!