As a get-to-know-you/following directions activity, the students have to create a vanity plate that represents themselves. You know, they look like this:
But because I am a MASTER TEACHER (ha ha ha ha hahahahahaha), I don't just say create a personalized license plate. I try to get them to figure out what a vanity plate is by using some logical deduction. They can usually figure out that I am talking about license plates rather than dinner plates, but it's more difficult to get to the definition of vanity. One student pointed out that a vanity is a piece of furniture. I agreed with them and asked them to describe a vanity. The class was able to put together that a vanity is a low dresser with a spot where you can pull up a chair. And there's a big mirror.
"So why do we call this furniture a 'vanity?'" I asked.
Blank stares.
"What does 'vanity' mean?"
More blank stares.
"Okay... let's think. It's called a 'vanity' because of the activity that occurs at it. Would men or women be more likely to sit down at a vanity?"
Everyone was in instant agreement that women would be more likely to sit there.
"Why? What might women be doing at the vanity? Remember, there's a huge mirror on it," I prompted.
A boy in the middle of the room raises his hand and answers, "Taking selfies?"
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