Reference no: EM133547680

Homework: Education- Diversity & Gender Acceptance

As educators it is our job to ensure we are reaching all students regardless of abilities, race, sex, religion, gender, etc. Every year schools receive end of year data from the county and/or state assessments given at various points during the school year. This data is then broken down into subgroup data (race, abilities, socioeconomic status, language, etc). Highly qualified educators use this information to plan activities that will help to bridge the gaps between these groups. Unfortunately, the gaps for some subgroups continue to grow each year. Some of this can be attributed to lack of funds but others can be in how educators teach various groups.

In order to be an effective educator, you must be able to look beyond any hidden or personal biases that you don't know you even have. Many times these are things that have been ingrained in you since a child. Read the article to learn more about Hidden Biases and how these impact your interactions with others.

One of the most prevalent biases we have is related to gender. Review the following articles before you begin this homework.

A. The Gender Gap: Boys Lagging
B. Why Schools Are Failing Our Boys
C. Why do girls lose interest in STEM
D. The Black-White Achievement Gap

After reading the articles, you will visit a store of your choice that sells toys (or website). Browse the aisles (or website) and make a note of different forms of gender bias. The following items are some of the things that you should observe

A. How are the aisles labeled? How do you know where the boys' and girls' sections are?

B. Which sections are larger?

C. What types of toys are in each section? List the exact names of toys.

D. What colors are used?

E. What type of lettering is used? Jagged edges or smooth edges? What would this suggest?

F. What type of language do you observe on the packaging? Indicate what types of verbs are used for boys and for girls?

G. Cost?

H. How many males and females appear on the box covers? Pick one aisle and count them.

I. How are women portrayed? How are men portrayed?

J. What do the toys promote? Violence, communication, friendship, competition, learning, global knowledge, parenting skills?

K. What careers are associated with the toys?

Upon completion of this research, you will use what you have learned to PLAN a lesson targeted at kindergarten through third grade on gender acceptance/diversity. Here is a short list of books that you can use or you can research one on your own. Once you have selected the book, create an extension activity that could be used with the targeted age group. Remember worksheets are not developmentally appropriate!