TODAY’S AGENDA

• Warm up: GRADE CHECK!

• Caste System Debate!
• Caste System Letter Assignment

• Learning Target: I can participate

in a debate about the Indian
Caste System to show my
understanding of why societies
put people in groups.
 “GROUPS” IN THE UNITED STATES
• The United States has Social Classes depending on how
much money you make
• Upper Class
• Middle Class
• High and low
• Lower Class
• Working Class
• Below Poverty Level
• Do you think you’re treated differently based on what class
you’re in? Why or why not?
HOW IS THE CLASS SYSTEM IN THE
US SIMILAR TO THE CASTE SYSTEM
IN INDIA?
HINT: YOU MAY SEE THIS QUESTION AGAIN… MAYBE ON A QUIZ….
 CASTE SYSTEM DEBATE
• You will be shown a series of statements on the board. You must decide how
you feel about each one.
• There are 4 corners in the room, once the statement is read, you will move to
the corner that corresponds to how you feel about the statement. You will
have time to discuss your reasoning with other people in the group and
prepare something to share with the class.
• The 4 Corners:
• Strongly Agree: You agree with all aspects of the statement.
• Agree: You agree with most of the statement, but might want to make some
clarifications/exceptions.
• Disagree: You disagree with most of the statement, but might want to make
some clarifications/exceptions.
• Strongly Disagree: You disagree with all aspects of the statement.
THE CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA IS FAIR,
ASSUMING YOU BELIEVE IN
REINCARNATION AND KARMA.
THE CLASS SYSTEM IN THE
UNITED STATES IS FAIR.
ALL PEOPLE HAVE EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES TO
SUCCEED AS LONG AS
THEY’RE WILLING TO TRY.
PUTTING PEOPLE INTO DIFFERENT
GROUPS HELPS THE GOVERNMENT
MAINTAIN PEACE AND CONTROL
OF ITS SOCIETY.
SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE UNITED
STATES DON’T DETERMINE A
PERSON’S SUCCESS.
PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO CHANGE THEIR ECONOMIC
CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES.
 DEBATE DEBRIEF

• How is the class system in the United States

different than the Caste System of India?
• Why do you think societies place people into
groups?
• Is there a “right” way to place people in
groups? Why or why not?
 CASTE SYSTEM LETTER ASSIGNMENT
• Pick a Caste! Write a letter to the Indian Government about
whether or not you believe YOUR Caste should be
abolished or not. You may NOT write it as an untouchable.
• Also tell what life in your Caste is like, and how the
government should abolish the Caste, OR how the
government should keep the Caste System in place.
• Remember letters start like:
• Dear __________,
• End
• Sincerely,
• ___________________
CASTES