Challenging gender stereotypes

Abi | Sep 20, 2024Sep 20, 2024

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

• discuss gender stereotypes;
• practise adjectives to describe people;
• watch a video on how women are viewed in sports.

With this lesson, students revise the term ‘gender stereotypes’ and discuss the topic. They explore adjectives to describe people (e.g. delusional, brave, adventurous, etc.) and talk about the use of adjectives to describe men and women. They also watch a video on women in sports, discuss ways to challenge stereotypes and talk about real-life examples. In addition, students read texts about women from the past who challenged stereotypes. 

WARM-UP AND VOCABULARY

This lesson begins with a warm-up. Students read the definition of gender stereotypes and discuss questions about gender stereotypes and their impact. After that, they read film or book characters’ descriptions and match adjectives to describe people (e.g. nurturing, dramatic, unhinged, etc.) with their definitions. Then, students look at the characters’ descriptions again (e.g. A character who expresses their needs and is called crazy or unhinged.), say if they would expect each of them to be a man or a woman and explain their choice. 

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION

At this point in the lesson, students watch a video about women in sports and tick the activities featured in it (e.g. playing football, running a marathon, boxing, etc.). Then, they watch the video again and note down adjectives to describe women that the video criticises (e.g. dramatic, nuts, delusional, etc.). Afterwards, students discuss questions about challenging gender stereotypes and their impact. Following that, they read texts about women from the past who challenged stereotypes (Marie Curie and Amelia Earhart) and choose one adjective to complete sentences (e.g. Curie loved science and was dramatic/determined/ambitious to become a scientist and do something important.).

Then, students discuss questions about women in history and their influence. Finally, they think of an ad, video, film or piece of social media content that challenges gender stereotypes. Students talk about it using adjectives to describe people. They also consider what it is about and how gender stereotypes are being challenged in the situation. 

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students read statements and complete gaps with an adjective. Then, they choose sentences and change them so they are true for students. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

WORKSHEETS

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