This is an exercise to examine attitudes towards learning in our society. Below are two prompts, which are identical except that the first purports to tell a story about basketball player Michael Jordan, while the second tells the same story about theoretical physicist Steven Hawking.
Prompt A
Even as a boy, basketball player Michael Jordan realized he had a special talent. He would sometimes stay at home, even when his friends were going out, to put in long hours honing that talent. This dedication paid off, as he went to a top college and quickly impressed people with his genius and drive. He has since risen to the top of his field, and people place him among the best to have ever played the game.
- Write down three words you would use to describe Michael Jordan.
- If you knew a kid like Michael Jordan in school, do you think you'd be more likely to be friends with him or make fun of him?
- Would you like to have a job like Michael Jordan has? Even with all that hard work and training?
Prompt B
Even as a boy, theoretical physicist Steven Hawking realized he had a special talent. He would sometimes stay at home, even when his friends were going out, to put in long hours honing that talent. This dedication paid off, as he went to a top college and quickly impressed people with his genius and drive. He has since risen to the top of his field, and people place him among the best to have ever played the game.
- Write down three words you would use to describe Steven Hawking.
- If you knew a kid like Steven Hawking in school, do you think you'd be more likely to be friends with him or make fun of him?
- Would you like to have a job like Steven Hawking has? Even with all that hard work and training?
Give half the class one prompt, and the other half of the class the other prompt. Without revealing that there are two prompts, ask students to volunteer the "descriptive words" from the first question, recording the Jordan ones on one half of the board, and the Hawking ones on the other half of the board. After collecting the respective terms, have a student from each group read their prompt out loud.