Cultural Text Set by Josephine Monaghan
Audience:
1st -2nd graders with reading levels ranging from pre-reading to late 3rd grade.
Purpose:
Help students understand gender stereotype and respecting one's individual identity by using a variety of texts that promote awareness and understanding of transgender youth.
Essential Questions:
How do gender stereotypes make us feel?
What are challenges that transgender students face and how can we support them?
Anchor Text:
I Am Jazz , by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Written in lower elementary appropriate prose, this book tells the true story of Jazz, a transgender girl. The text explains the concept of transgender in an age appropriate relatable manner (“I have a girl brain but a boy’s body”) as well as discusses the challenges Jazz faces as a transgender student. The book is written in a manner that students immediately relate to Jazz; she has typical kid interests and friendships. But, the book also shows how she is treated unjustly because she is transgender, which can be an easy jumping off point for class discussion. The overall tone of the book is hopeful and it reminds students that everyone is different and what’s important in what’s on the inside. This book is best used whole class/teacher directed as a way to introduce gender diversity and discuss transgender student issues.
Supporting Text:
Red: A Crayons Story
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Who Are You?: The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity
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My Princess Boy
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Mazy’s Trans Identity
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Call Me Tree: Llámame árbol
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All I Want Is to Be Me
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Growing up transgender: Malisa story
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About Chris
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Exploring Gender Stereotypes
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