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Gender stereotypes often arise in social situations. Children face a great deal of pressure to be popular and to conform to their peer groups. Acting out realistic social situations in a safe, controlled classroom environment is a good way to prepare students for situations that might come up. It also helps children think about their own roles in both fighting and perpetuating gender stereotypes.
This lesson offers role plays and essential questions to guide students as they participate. Children have a chance to use creative, dramatic expression to consider not only the roots of gender stereotypes, but also their consequences and strategies for counteracting them.
Additional Resources
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educator's Network provides a great deal of information on gender- and sexuality-based teasing and bullying, as well as methods to combat these problems and create a safe space at your school.
Gender Spectrum offers a comprehensive collection of resources to help schools, educators and families create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for all children and teens.
The National Organization for Women addresses gender-based bullying among adults at "Gender Bullying Needs to Stop"; NOW also provides other tools for combatting sexism and transphobia in schools and communities.
Standards
Activities and embedded assessments address the following standards from McREL 4th edition and Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Language Arts
Standard 1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
Standard 5. Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process.
Standard 6. Uses skills and strategies to read a variety of literary texts.
Standard 8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
Working With Others
Standard 1. Contributes to the overall effort of a group.
Standard 3. Works well with diverse individuals and in diverse situations.
Standard 4. Displays effective interpersonal communication skills.
Self Regulation
Standard 2. Performs self-appraisal.
Standard 5. Maintains a healthy self concept.
Common Core State Standards, English Language Arts
Speaking and Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration
Standard 1. Engages effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Standard 4. Reports on a topic or text, tells a story, or recounts an experience
Standard 6. Speaks in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification
Writing
Text Types and Purposes
Standard 3. Writes narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
Production and Distribution of Writing
Standard 4. Produces writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose
Standard 5. Develops and strengthens writing as needed by planning, revising and editing
