Two or three days ago I read a “gender lesson” created by Darlene Tando, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, for teachers to present in schools based on the needs of gender nonconforming children. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this lesson and what an excellent tool it is for teachers, so I’ve reblogged it here with Tando’s permission. I can’t even explain to you how happy I would be if every teacher at C.J.’s school gave this lesson to their students during the first week or two of school. (BTW, there’s a PDF at the end for easy printing, sharing and posting.)
I created this “gender lesson” for teachers to present in schools based on the needs of gender nonconforming children I see in my private practice and those I read about online. Please share with any and all classrooms/teachers! Below is the lesson, and following that will be a PDF with the lesson and a list of “expectations” that can be posted in the classroom.
This lesson was created in particular for those teachers who have gender nonconforming children in their classrooms. However, it is my belief that this curriculum is needed in ALL classrooms, to change society’s stereotypes, reduce stigmatization of children, decrease bullying, and increase acceptance of each other.
This lesson is to be presented at the very beginning of the school year to set standards of expectations for behavior, and can be reviewed as needed throughout the school year. It should be appropriate for grades K-5; please modify…
View original post 846 more words
Raising My Rainbow 
you should totally start a school. It will be awsome. ( notice I said will not would)
I love this. I wish there had been something like this when I was in school. I chopped all my hair off in fourth grade and was teased mercilessly for the next four years (I kept it short) until I went to a different high school than most of the kids in my elementary and junior high schools. I was literally the least popular person in my school and got called every ugly gay slur you could think of. I’m thankful for it now (on my best days), because it has made me a more compassionate and stronger person, but at the time it was really hard. I hope that CJ doesn’t have it that rough, but when he has bad days, just remember that it is building his character and that with awesome supportive parents like you he will no doubt survive and flourish.
Thank you! I love it. Is it too presumptive of me to give it to my sons kindergarten teacher before we’ve even started kindergarten? (we’re starting in a week)
That was a really really good basic lesson for that intended audience. That would be a great start as the kids enter the JHS experience, they would probably be subconciously aware at least of “style”, that which is both in personal expression or behavior, and would be expected then to have less chance of bullying behaviors, at least around and about of personal expression.
I’ve said before, we are all odd ducks in our own ways, from children to the elderly and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of us as a result. It’s just being different. I think if we can at least get through to people that there are few things in the world that are truly boy things or girl things, and certainly color and clothing aren’t in that grouping, that will go along way in and of itself.
People may disagree with me, but I don’t agree that saying, in the response area of her lesson, that “that’s their style, and I like it” in response to other’s teasing of their friend, because syle is a personal thing, and one has to have the ability to have the right to like or not like something. If you do like it then say so, and if you don’t you should be free to say that too. It does not however give anyone who doesn’t like it to bully, laugh, threaten or anything else the right to do anything beyond saying they don’t care for it. I’m sure that’s the message in her lesson there, but I think promotion of freedom of speech, and/or thought, and freedom of expression go hand in hand. Denial of one is not freedom, in in the face of political correctness. It’s a matter of treating everyone with dignity.
As a therapist also dealing with these issues, in adults and children, I’m the happiest when I can get through to friends and family of the client that there is no such thing as boy or girl things, or activities, there is only likes and dislikes. Thaat advertising and the media is the one who has demarcated that, and they did it for their own benefit, not yours. When they finally really grasp that concept you see a whole shift in their face, and a huge shift in their attitude toward the individual. That’s the fun part for me.
I was listening to CBC radio Canada yesterday and there was a documentary about a family who would not release the sexual identity of their youngest child because their first two children are gender non-conforming. This was facinating! Here is the link, you may be interested to see how families out side of the US live. http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2012/04/26/the-gender-trap-part-2/. Sorry it’s the second part, easily find part one on the website, just not here on my phone 🙂
Fantastic! I love it.
YES!