Challenging Gender Stereotypes: A Cultural Exploration Text Set
Audience: 2nd grade public elementary school students in San Diego, California. Reading levels range from low first grade to high 3rd grade.
Purpose: To help students identify and discuss gender stereotypes, acquire the vocabulary to discuss gender issues, develop insight into the potential harm caused by gender stereotypes, and practice literacy skills based on themes of gender identity.
Anchor Text: Big Bob, Little Bob by James Howe, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson
Purpose: To help students identify and discuss gender stereotypes, acquire the vocabulary to discuss gender issues, develop insight into the potential harm caused by gender stereotypes, and practice literacy skills based on themes of gender identity.
Anchor Text: Big Bob, Little Bob by James Howe, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson
In Big Bob, Little Bob by James Howe, two boys who are neighbors share the same name, but seem to have little else in common. Big Bob likes to dig in the mud, play with trucks, and make noise. Little Bob likes to make art, play with dolls, and wear dresses. The two boys approach the world in completely different ways, but still forge a friendship. When a newcomer teases Little Bob for his non-gender conforming play choices, Big Bob models ways that we can stand up for others. The book is simply written at an early elementary school level, with charming illustrations and a dose of humor throughout. As an instructor-led text, Big Bob, Little Bob is ideally suited for opening up discussion about what gender stereotypes are, how gender non-conforming individuals can be bullied for their choices, and how we can defend our friends in a positive way. From the School Library Journal: "The digitally rendered illustrations greatly extend the text, providing readers with examples of how the boys' play differs…this is a fine choice for young children who don't conform to gender stereotypes, and an example for all kids that differences can enrich rather than hinder friendships."
Supporting Texts for Students
Books
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino
Lexile: AD530L The titular character of this picture book is creative, imaginative, and kind -- and he happens to love wearing a vibrant orange, swishy dress from the dress-up center at his school. He is mocked and shunned by his classmates, who ban him from their own make-believe play because "boys don't wear dresses". Morris pretends not to notice their unkindness, but eventually it becomes so upsetting that he goes home sick. When he returns to school with an amazing adventure he dreamed up, his classmates begin to relate to him, and see beyond the dress. This book offers opportunities for students to identify ways to support gender nonconforming peers, and introduces the idea that emotional pain can lead to physical pain. At the high end of the mid-year Lexile range for 2nd grade, this text could be used as teacher-led instruction to ensure comprehension. Pugdog by Andrea U'Ren
ATOS Book Level: 2.8 Interest Level: Lower Grades Mike's mean-mugging pup Pugdog is his best friend, and they spend time together every day visiting the park and playing. But when Mike takes Pugdog to the vet, he learns that Pugdog is actually a girl, not a boy! Mike tries to give Pugdog lessons on being girly, but Pugdog just wants to be herself -- the same as she has always been! She ends up teaching Mike a few things about what girls can do. This funny story with charming illustrations will engage young readers, and the ATOS Book Level of 2.8 makes it appropriate for independent reading or peer-group reading for students at grade level. |
A Fire Engine for Ruthie by Leslea Newman
ATOS Book Level: 3.2, Interest Level: Lower Grades On a visit with her grandmother, Ruthie tries to meet Nana's expectations of what a girl should like to do: have tea parties and play with dolls. But what Ruthie really likes is to play with trucks, especially fire engines, and act out exciting rescue stories. She gazes wistfully at the boy who lives next door to Nana, who plays outside with his ample collection of toy cars and motorcycles. Eventually, Nana recognizes Ruthie's preference for alternative toys to the traditionally feminine ones that she has given her, and embraces Ruthie for who she really is. At an ATOS Book Level of 3.2, this story could be well-suited to being read in small peer groups of the advanced readers in the class. Allie's Basketball Dream by Barbara Barber
Lexile: 530L Allie lives for basketball, and when her dad gives her a new ball, she eagerly heads out to the neighborhood courts to give it a try. But she's sadly met with a group of boys who insist that girls aren't welcome to play with them, and that she won't be able to keep up. Through dedication and perserverance, Allie shows the boys that girls can do anything they put their minds to. This book will appeal to any sports-loving kid, boy or girl, as they recognize the hard work that it takes to improve one's athletic skills. It also overtly addresses the issue of girls being discriminated against in sports due to gender stereotypes. With a Lexile level of 530L, this book could be guided by the instructor as a read-aloud to ensure that students of all reading levels comprehend the story. |
Articles
This Newsela article reports on the increase of building and engineering toys targeted at girls, touching upon the fact that until recently, STEM toys were mostly marketed to boys. Adapted for a second grade reading level at Lexile 460L, this article could be read and responded to independently or in peer groups by most second graders.
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Covering a study that indicated that most children have developed ingrained gender roles by age 10, this article from Newsela directly refers to gender stereotypes and the specific harm they can cause to children. At a Lexile reading level of 600L, this article could be used in small groups to challenge the higher reading level students in the course, or could be used as a whole class activity with teacher guidance to explain any challenging concepts or vocabulary.
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Poems/Songs
In his song "You Might Be A Girl", Alastair Moock provides a fanciful list of all the characteristics that girls can embody, from playing with dolls, to having short hair, to excelling at sports, to loving kittens, to being tough. In clear language and an easy to follow rhyme scheme, "You Might Be A Girl" challenges gender stereotypes and reassures girls that: There’s nothing wrong with liking what you like
Or what you have to say
Somebody mean
Might call you weird
But people only say those things because they are afraid of
Young women who are brave.
This piece could be presented as either a song (chords are provided at the above link for musically-inclined instructors), or as a poem. The simple language allows it to be read independently by most second graders.
Or what you have to say
Somebody mean
Might call you weird
But people only say those things because they are afraid of
Young women who are brave.
This piece could be presented as either a song (chords are provided at the above link for musically-inclined instructors), or as a poem. The simple language allows it to be read independently by most second graders.
Images
This image, via the Pigtail Pals blog, can be used as a visual example of the ways that our media and advertising reinforce gender stereotypes. It could be used in the classroom in a number of different ways: students could individually analyze the image and come up with lists of adjectives that describe boys and girls based on the photos, small groups could work together to come up with an idea for a magazine ad that fights against gender stereotypes, or the image could be used to supplement a digital literacy lesson on critically evaluating advertising aimed at children.
Videos
In this brief, teen-anchored news report from a special student reporting edition of PBS NewsHour, a high-school aged girl who plays football and rugby is interviewed, along with her mother. They explain how she was never interested in traditionally "girly" activities, and instead preferred to play more rough-and-tumble sports. This positive story highlights ways that girls can achieve anything, even if other people think that their interests are "just for boys".
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In this video, transgender teen activist Jazz Jennings reads aloud her picture book autobiography, I Am Jazz. The book level is ATOS 3.3 with a lower grades interest level, making it appropriate as a read-aloud for the second grade audience. The text explains what it means to be transgender in child-friendly terms, and also touches upon the harmful outcomes of gender stereotypes. Experiencing the story read aloud by the teen author will increase students' engagement with the book, and reinforce the real experiences of transgender people.
In this music video, 11 year old (at the time) performer Willow Smith sings about embracing one's individuality, even if it does not fit into traditional norms. With her close-cropped hair and button-down shirt, Smith sings about others criticizing her appearance, before ultimately reiterating that "I'm me, I'm free, that's all that I can be, and you can't stop me". The singer-songwriter's young age may inspire student audiences, and the song could be used as a prompt for an independent writing exercise where students are encouraged to pen their own songs about being themselves. |
Supporting Texts for Instructors
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans and Resources from Teaching Tolerance:
What Are Gender Stereotypes? This lesson plan, adaptable for K-2 or 3-5 audiences, provides an introduction to gender stereotypes and includes relevant vocabulary, learning activities, and an ELL extension. Students are asked to brainstorm as many gender stereotypes as possible, and then think of ways that people can live "outside the box". The concept of people being treated unfairly due to gender stereotypes is also covered. Exploring Gender Stereotypes in Stories This lesson plan expands upon the What Are Gender Stereotypes? plan by introducing a literacy component. The instructor reads aloud a book with a protagonist who challenges gender norms, and then the class uses graphic organizers to develop their own gender-nonconforming characters. |
Lesson Plans and Resources from HRC's Welcoming Schools:
We Are All Human Beings This lesson plan created by the Human Rights Campaign introduces young children to concepts of human diversity, and focuses on the things that all humans have in common. Then, a "true/not true" game helps students to identify gender stereotypes and learn to avoid blanket statements about groups of people (i.e., "all girls like dolls"). Using Children's Books to Look at Gender Stereotyping This lesson plan provides a booklist of picture books that are relevant to the theme of gender stereotypes, and includes a role playing activity where students are asked to act out ways that a friend could have helped a gender-nonconforming protagonist feel better about their problem sooner than they did in the story. |
Articles
Orr, A., Baum, J., et. al. (2016). Schools in transition:
A guide for supporting transgender students in K-12 schools [PDF Document]. Downloadable online here. This extensive guide, produced jointly by a number of education and LGBTQ+ rights organizations, provides current best practices for teachers and administrators on supporting transgender students in the school setting. |
Kilman, C. (2013). The gender spectrum. Teaching Tolerance (44). Retrieved from https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2013/the-gender-spectrum
This article aims to provide educators with relevant terminology related to the gender spectrum, as well as tools needed to support gender non-conforming students in the classroom. |