Sexism in the Classroom
Boys vs Girls
What is Sexism?
Strategies to Eliminate Sexism in the Classroom
- Use popsicle sticks to pick students
- Make sure bulletin boards are male and female friendly
- Use examples that both boys and girls are interested in
- Do not rely on the quickest hand to answer the question, give an appropriate amount of wait time
- Classroom activities should involve all types of learning- auditory, visual, and kinesthetic
- Look at our own behavior to make sure we are being fair to all students!
Amazing Grace
By Mary Hoffman. Illustrated by Caroline Binch. 1991. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. Grace loves to act out stories. She eventually overcomes restrictions of gender and race to play the part of her dreams, Peter Pan, in the school play.
Boy, Can He Dance!
By Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by Paul Yalowitz. 1993. New York: Four Winds. Tony doesn’t want to become a chef like his father. Instead, he wants to dance.
Mamma and Me and the Model T.
By Faye Gibbons. Illustrated by Ted Rand. 1999. New York: Morrow Junior Books/Harper- Collins. When the Model T arrives, Mama proves that she, like the men, can drive.
Reducing Bias in Curriculum Materials
- Make sure your books in the classroom are relatable to both genders
- Have books that contain a different perspectives, some boys some girls
- Address the reality of sexism in the world- don't tip toe around it
- Provide books that don't stereotype characteristics of kids
Activity
Identify and analyze traditional gender roles in the workplace. Students will raise a colored card that represents male or female to identify which gender they believe belongs to each job when the teacher reads it. The student will discover and discuss the ideas of persistent gender stereotyping in the workforce.
Resources
http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cte/docs/NTO/Gender_Equity.pdf
Teacher Education Textbooks: The Unfinished Gender Revolution
http://www.sadker.org/textbooks.html
Children's Books the Break Gender Role Stereotypes
http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/Books4Children.pdf