Goals
Brief description of the issue
A strong endorsement of gender stereotypes is associated with higher school dropout rates, for boys as well as for girls. We learn those stereotypes from a very young age, therefore they have to be broken down even at the elementary level if we want to give students all the chances they need to succeed in school. To do this, concrete activities aiming at deconstructing gender stereotypes can be very helpful and spark interesting discussion with your group.
Gender stereotypes are basically everywhere: they tell us what we are supposed to do and like, what we can or cannot be when we grow up, who we can like, etc. Based on the famous children’s book The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch, these activities explore gender stereotypes and expectations associated with them with children, in addition to developing literacy skills among students.
These activities have been adapted from the lesson plan proposed by The Highland Council.
Download the document corresponding to your teaching level below.