Integrating the Dignity Act Principles into Lesson Plans: A Sample Template
THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Field Services
This template provides one possible format to assist educators in developing
lessons that incorporate and support the positive nondiscriminatory principles of
New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (Dignity Act), including fostering a safe
and supportive school climate and culture. It was also developed as an internal tool for
educators to use in developing and/or re-aligning lesson plans and school/district curricula
to support the Dignity Act.
The Dignity Act, which takes effect on July 1, 2012, amended Section 801-a
of New York State Education Law regarding instruction in civility,
citizenship, and character education by expanding the concepts of
tolerance, respect for others and dignity to include: an awareness and
sensitivity to discrimination or harassment and civility in the relations of
people of different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions,
religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes.
The issues addressed by the Dignity Act acknowledge the ever-present impact of students’
social and emotional development on their ability to learn, and encourages the integration
of Dignity Act-related content across disciplines and throughout the learning process, rather
than through short-term programs or units.
Please feel free to use this template as a tool to assist your school/district in ensuring that
classroom instruction and all interactions on school property integrate the intent of the
Dignity Act to provide students with an environment free from discrimination and
harassment.
1. Dignity Act Principles Addressed (check any/all that apply):
□ Honesty
□ Tolerance
□ Personal responsibility
□ Respect for others
□ Observance of
laws and rules
□ Courtesy
□ Dignity
□ Other traits (please list): _____________________________________
2. Grade Level/Subject Area:
Grade Level(check one):
□ P-3
□ 4-6
□ 7-8
□ 9-12
Subject Area(please fill in):_______________________________________
3. Title of Lesson:
4. Background (Please provide a brief explanation of the Dignity Act principle
or issue addressed):
5. Relevance to Current Issues (if applicable):
6. Related New York State (including Common Core) Learning Standards:
8. Time Needed:
9. Materials/Technology:
10. Introduction (Hook):
□ Career Development and Occupational Studies
□ English Language Arts & Literacy
□ Family and Consumer Sciences
□ Health
□ Languages Other Than English
□ Mathematics
□ Physical Education
□ Science
□ Social Studies
□ Technology
□ The Arts (Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts)
7. Key Lesson Vocabulary:
11. Objectives:
12. Procedures:
13. Student Activities/Guiding Questions:
14. Differentiated Instruction:
a. Reinforcement
b. Extension
c. English language learner (ELL) support
d. Students with disabilities (SWD) support
15. Culminating Activity/Outcomes:
16. Assessment:
17. Additional Resources for Students, Teachers, and Parents (please upload
documents or provide web links):
□
Students
□ Teachers
□ Parents
For additional information related to the Dignity Act, please visit:
www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact, www.facebook.com/dignityact, or email specific
questions/concerns to [email protected].
