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Sex-Role Stereotyping and Sexual Harassment – Elementary School Resources

Author(s): Pat Stanton and June Larkin

Publisher: Green Dragon Press

Type of Resource: Classroom activities, lesson plans

Target Grades: 6-8

Canadian Resource? Yes

Resource formally evaluated? No

What is the source, internet link, or article title for viewing the formal evaluation of this resource? (none supplied)

Ministry of Education Expectations

Subject Areas:language, arts, social studies, religion, family life

Expectations Met:

GRADE SIX

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to inform, to persuade, to explain) and to specific audiences.

Use writing for various purposes and in a range of contexts, including school work (e.g., to develop and clarify ideas, to express thoughts and opinions)

Select words and expressions to create specific effects

Language: Reading

Explain their interpretation of a written work, supporting it with evidence from the work and from their own knowledge and experience

Make judgments and draw conclusions about ideas in written materials on the basis of evidence

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Make reports, describe and explain a course of action, and follow detailed instructions

Ask and answer questions to obtain and clarify information

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse media works

Use tone of voice and gestures to enhance the message and help convince or persuade listeners in conversations, discussions, or presentations

Use constructive strategies in small-group discussions (e.g., invite other group members to contribute; ask questions to clarify a point; negotiate to find a basis for agreement)

Follow up on others’ ideas, and recognize the validity of different points of view in group discussions or problem-solving activities

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Solve problems presented through drama and dance in different ways, and evaluate the effectiveness of each solution

Evaluate drama and dance performances, with reference to their own experiences in daily life

Solve artistic problems in drama and dance, individually and in groups, and evaluate the solutions

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Use basic prevention and treatment skills (e.g., first aid) to help themselves and others

Apply a problem-solving/decision-making process to address issues related to friends, peers, and family relationships

Describe and respond appropriately to potentially violent situations relevant to themselves (e.g., threats, harassment, violence in the media)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Family Life:

  • valuing human life through the five stages
  • effective behaviours and emotions in relationships
  • code of behaviour, positive and negative influences in relationships

GRADE SEVEN

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to outline an argument, to report on observations) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose and topic

Language: Reading

Explain their interpretation of a written work, supporting it with evidence from the work and from their own knowledge and experience

Make judgments and draw conclusions about ideas in written materials on the basis of evidence

Clarify and develop their own points of view by examining the ideas of others

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Ask questions and discuss different aspects of ideas in order to clarify their thinking

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse and interpret media works

Identify some of the ways in which non-verbal communication techniques (e.g., tone of voice and body language) can affect audiences, and use these techniques in their own speech to arouse and maintain interest, and convince and persuade their listeners

Listen and respond constructively to alternative ideas or viewpoints

Express ideas and opinions confidently but without trying to dominate discussion

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Evaluate, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance, using criteria developed by the class

Solve, in various ways, a problem that is presented through drama and dance, and explain ways in which each solution is effective

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Describe age-appropriate matters related to sexuality (e.g., the need to develop interpersonal skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively with the opposite sex)

Explain how harassment relates to personal safety

Use effective communication skills (e.g., refusal skills, active listening) to deal with various relationships and situations

Identify sources of support with regard to issues related to healthy sexuality (e.g., parents/guardians, doctors)

Describe harassment and identify ways of dealing with it (e.g., by communicating feelings and reporting incidents of harassment)

Identify people and resources that can support someone experiencing harassment

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • moral decision-making

Family Life:

  • self respect equals the respect of others
  • changing relationships in adolescence
  • changing human relationships
  • freedom and responsible decision making
  • exploring the social nature of humans in community

GRADE EIGHT

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to evaluate information, to compare points of view) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose (e.g., a survey soliciting opinions on an environmental issue) and features appropriate to the form (e.g., focused questions)

Language: Reading

Explain their interpretations of a written work, supporting it with evidence from the work and from their own knowledge and experience

Make judgments and draw conclusions about ideas in written materials on the basis of evidence

Clarify and broaden their own points of view by examining the ideas of others

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse and interpret media works

Use tone of voice and body language to clarify meaning during conversations and presentations

Contribute collaboratively in group situations by asking questions and building on the ideas of others

Work with members of their group to establish clear purposes and procedures for solving problems and completing projects

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret and communicate ideas and feelings drawn from fictional accounts, documentaries, and other material from a wide variety of sources and cultures, selecting and combining complex drama and dance techniques (e.g., “forum theatre”)

Critique, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance, using criteria developed independently and in a group

Produce pieces that deal appropriately with youth problems

Produce pieces of writing in which they reflect on their experiences in drama and dance, and in which they show their ability to analyse and find solutions to problems in real life

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify the physical, emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual aspects of healthy sexuality (e.g., respect for life, ethical questions in relationships, contraception)

Analyse situations that are potentially dangerous to personal safety (e.g., gang violence) and determine how to seek assistance

Apply living skills (e.g., decision-making, problem-solving, and refusal skills) to respond to matters related to sexuality, drug use, and healthy eating habits

Identify sources of support (e.g., parents/guardians, doctors) related to healthy sexuality issues

Analyse situations (e.g., hitchhiking, gang violence, violence in relationships) that are potentially dangerous to personal safety

Identify support services (e.g., the school guidance department, shelters, Kid’s Help Phone) that assist victims of violence, and explain how to access them

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • responsible choices, self respect, respect for others, service in the community

Family Life:

  • developing our gifts
  • conflict resolution
  • building a loving, just community and exploring social issues

Toolkit Evaluation:

(where noted: Consistently (C)   Often (O))

Exploring Well-Being Through Relationships

Knowledge

  • How healthy relationships support a healthy sense of well-being
  • Differentiate between healthy/equal relationships and relationships that are negative/unequal
  • Increase awareness of how actions and choices impact the well being of others
  • Increase awareness of how actions/choices of others impact personal well-being

Skills

  • Develop and practice mutual empathy
  • Identify and practice values of mutual respect
Exploring Social Relations of Violence, Oppression and Equality

Knowledge

  • Knowledge about social structures of inequality, marginalization/exclusion, negative stereotypes, discrimination and violence
  • Develop a gender analysis of social relations
  • Recognize and understand oppression on the basis of gender and other forms of inequality (i.e., race, culture, socioeconomic status, education, geographic location, ability/disability, etc.)
  • Develop understanding of multiple forms and contexts of violence
  • Recognize and make connections of varied forms of violence in different contexts (i.e., home, school, community, media, etc.
  • Critical understanding of the concept of power by exploring relations of violence and relations of empowerment
  • Knowledge about the social relations of equality, inclusion, acceptance and empowerment

Skills

  • Explore gendered aspects of their social identities, relationships and experiences
  • Exploring Identity, Gender, and Diversity

Knowledge

  • Knowledge to examine social identities relationships and experiences within the context of multiple social relationships and structure of inequality (vulnerability vs. privilege)
  • Knowledge about how values and biases are (can be) used to exclude and cause harm to individuals and groups of individuals
  • Knowledge to build an understanding of “differences” on the basis of gender, race socioeconomic status, ability/disability, sexual orientation, language, culture, education, et. In ways that enable students to move away from thinking in terms of “better than/worse than”

Skills

  • Opportunity for students to identify, explore, and name their own identities, experiences, and values
  • Opportunity for students to develop an understanding and respect for the identities, experiences, and values of their classmates/peers
  • Opportunity to explore differences on the basis of gender, race, ability/disability, socioeconomic status, culture, religion, sexual orientation with respect and interest
  • Opportunity for students to engage with and learn from differences and diversity
  • Opportunity for students to express, learn from, and build multiple perspectives on social experiences and diversity
Developing Connections, Creative Thinking and Participation

Knowledge

  • Validation of students’ perspective and knowledge in understanding violence and healthy relationships
  • Strategies for personal and/or social change are offered to students for the promotion of healthy and equal relationships.
  • Engagement in learning conflict resolution and anti-violence strategies
  • Gain in knowledge about choices and actions that promote mutual empowerment and respect

Skills

  • Opportunities to develop and practice their capacity for healthy interactions and connections within the context of the classroom/school
  • Opportunities to work collaboratively with peers to discuss and develop strategies for healthy and equal relationships
  • Experience and practice how to resolve conflict positively

Pedagogical Evaluation:

Structure and Format:
  • Ready to use scripted format
  • Sequential guide or lessons that are user friendly
  • Availability of support to implement the program/resource
Teaching/Learning Strategies:

Interactive Learning

  • Small-group cooperative learning
  • Small group discussion/debriefing
  • Presentations
  • Interviews

Experiential Learning

  • Simulation, role play
  • Case studies/scenarios
  • Community-based learning opportunities

Teaching and Learning Activities/Lessons Include:

  • Oral and written reflection/journal writing
Assessment Methods:

Demonstration/Performance:

  • Class
  • School and community-based projects
  • Role playing

Strengths Summary:

This collection of classroom activities/lesson plans, consistently encourages a gender-based analysis of social relations. It also consistently provides information on how to recognize and understand oppression on the basis of gender and consistently offers information and knowledge about social structures of inequality, marginalization/exclusion, negative stereotypes, discrimination and violence (based on gender). It consistently provides knowledge to build an understanding of “differences” on the basis of gender that enable students to move away from thinking in terms of “better/worse than.” Students are given many opportunities to work collaboratively with peers and to gain knowledge about choices/actions that promote mutual empowerment and respect. Students are given an opportunity to speak with/interview a role model and learn about their experiences with gender related issues. This resource effectively offers a comprehensive understanding of gender issues around sex-role stereotyping and sexual harassment.