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Downloadable teacher resources for IWD activity

Around the world, students should be encouraged to actively engage in conversations and experiences that equip them to question stereotypes and bias, and celebrate women's achievements. International Women's Day and Teach Starter are supporting teachers by providing premium classroom resources that educate and inspire students. Read more about gender bias at school here.

Brilliant classroom resources for teachers

Are you looking for quick and easy, yet informative and reliable classroom resources to help students learn about and explore gender-related issues? Download these incredibly useful resources to actively champion International Women's Day in your school. We also invite further resources to help reflect the truly diverse and exciting world we live in.

And teachers, in addition to the brilliant downloadable resources below, remember to select some of the inspiring and informative International Women's Day videos as classroom discussion starters to reinforce important gender concepts or to provide entertaining ways to celebrate the day.

1. International Women's Day printable fact sheet

Download these informative International Women's Day factsheets to:

learn about International Women's Day

explore key themes that relate to International Women's Day

learn about some very interesting statistics about women's equality

discuss what can be done to forge women's equality in areas like government and work

Printable fact sheet PDFs

2. Case studies about inspiring women role models

Download diverse, inspirational case studies of women role models from around the world to:

celebrate the achievements of women

consider career choices and life pathways

explore success from different cultures

instigate discussion about gender-related barriers

Printable case study PDFs:

3. International Women's Day activity task cards

Download and cut out these 14 exciting classroom activities for your students to collaboratively enjoy in groups or individually to:

celebrate women's achievements

challenge gender stereotypes and bias

use problem solving and creativity skills

develop writing, reading and multi-media skills

Printable activity task card PDFs

4. Questioning stereotypes

The Ground Rules Comic is a fabulous resource for supporting students to think deeply about gender stereotypes and collaboratively discuss their views. The Comic is supported by Task Cards.

5. Challenging stereotypes for jobs

Read the Firefighter Story then access the Gender Roles Sorting Activity to support students in exploring and reflecting on their own perceptions.

Plus access the Female Gender Stereotypes in the Media Worksheet to explore and discuss how to spot gender stereotyping, understand and identify how it occurs, and learn how it can influence others.

6. Who is your role model?

Who inspires you and why? Download the "All About My Role Model" activity for younger students using the easy to follow booklet, also available in a mini-booklet version. Both come complete with full instructions.

Use the role model booklet to:

teach students to think about the strengths of others

reflect on qualities they admire

explore and value differences

Printable role model booklets

Downloadable classroom and teaching resources by age

If you'd like to access the above resources by age level, please select from the below options:

Further downloadable classroom PDFs and teaching resources

If you've enjoyed these materials and would like to access further resources, visit Teach Starter. Trusted by over 250,000 teachers around the world, TeachStarter provides over 130,000 pages of downloadable educational resources expertly created by experienced teachers, designers and illustrators.
* It has not been possible to provide the International Women's Day classroom resources in multiple languages this year, however we endeavour to address this in the future because we do understand and value how important this is.
Show International Women's Day videos

Use some of the inspiring and thought-provoking International Women's Day videos available from around the world as great classroom discussion starters or teaching resources.

Teaching notes for the gender stereotypes viral video

Watch the viral video challenging gender stereotypes. Use the accompanying Teaching Notes to discuss the topic "what if women and men switched for a day?"

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IWD: Downloadable teacher resources for IWD activity

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Around the world, students should be encouraged to actively engage in conversations and experiences that equip them to question stereotypes and bias, and celebrate women's achievements. International Women's Day and Teach Starter are supporting teachers by providing premium classroom resources that educate and inspire students. Read more about gender bias at school here .

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Are Gender Free Classrooms a Good Idea? | Good Morning Britain

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Gender Neutral Book List

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In partnership with USA TODAY Education, we proudly present a new series of lessons focused on gender, self-image and equality. This eight-lesson curriculum introduces topics such as media and bullying in the context of gender equality.

The student lessons and companion teacher guides are available here as PDF downloads.

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Gender Equality Lessons for Schools - See Jane

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In partnership with USA TODAY Education, we proudly present a new series of lessons focused on gender, self-image and equality. This eight-lesson curriculum introduces topics such as media and bullying in the context of gender equality. The student lessons and companion teacher guides are available here as PDF downloads.

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https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/Improving%20gender%20balance%203-18

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Taken from Russell Howard's Sky 1 sketch

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Key Points from Russell Howard's Sketch.

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Key Points from Russell Howard's Sketch.

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NUT Research: Breaking the Mould.

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Event Examples - Alan Dapre, childrens author, artist, playwright

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Back to lesson plans archive

Defying Gender Stereotypes - Lesson Plan

Subjects

English, social studies, physical education

Estimated Time

One 45-minute class

Grade Level

Middle and High School

Introduction

With news of the National Football League hiring their first full-time female coach in history, classes will explore gender identity and stereotypes using four short student-produced videos from PBS Student Reporting Lab's new series, " Outside the Box. "

Background: It's a fantasy no more. Kathryn Smith just became the first full-time female coach in the history of the National Football League. Smith, age 30, will be the Buffalo Bills' special teams quality control assistant coach.

Smith grew up playing sports in upstate New York where she took stats for her high school's football team. She majored in sports management at St. John's University and became one of the managers of the school's Division 1 basketball team. Smith started as an intern with the New York Jets and worked in the team's scouting department before she became assistant to the Jets' head coach.

Watch PBS NewsHour's interview with USA Today's sports writer Christine Brennan about Kathryn Smith's new position in the NFL, and answer the questions with a partner or as a class.

1) What is a stereotype? How does Smith journey's from stat taker at Friday night high school football games to first full-time female coach in NFL history defy gender stereotypes?

2) What is ? How does gender equality fit in to the federal law known as Title IX? What does Brennan mean when she said, "This is Title IX in all of its manifestations."

Now watch the following four videos from PBS Student Reporting Lab's new series, " Outside the Box. " which examines how preconceived notions about gender affect the lives of middle and high school students.

Using the video below, discuss with students as a class or in pairs: What are some gender stereotypes that Eva faced when she was a young child and on the football field? Why do you think people stereotype based on gender? Have you ever found yourself stereotyping a person out loud or in your mind? What were the circumstances? What are some ways people can fight the urge to stereotype?

Produced by Avery Schroeder and Eva Klein, students at West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, California.

Using the video below, discuss with students as a class or in pairs: What do you think Aleena meant when she said, "You just have to go out there and use your whole heart"? Can you think of an example in your own life when you put your all into something? How did you feel about the experience while it was happening? After it ended? Harley said she always wanted to do something different, in this case, a sport that didn't involve girls. Have you ever broken or wanted to break a gender stereotype? Describe your experience.

Produced by Amanda Bonet, Etiwanda High School.

Using the video below, discuss with students as a class or in pairs. You might also want to ask students to write down their responses in their notebooks: How has Lexi's experience on the high school varsity football team defied gender stereotypes? How do you think you would react if you heard someone stereotyping another person, particularly in a negative way? Would your reaction be different if the person who made the stereotype was an adult? How about a young child?

Produced by Sydney Miller, a junior at Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Using the video below, discuss with students together as a class or in pairs: How is Adrian's experience similar to the students in the football and wrestling pieces? What are some differences? How do you think the female athletes in the previous videos would react to hearing Adrian's story? Explain. Describe the types of support that Adrian and the other students featured in the videos received. Why are support systems important?
Produced by Karen Orduna and Alexandria Thompson, students at the Mesquite Student Network in Mesquite, Texas. by Victoria Pasquantonio, PBS NewsHour Education Editor, History Teacher - f eedback on this lesson is welcome. Send to vpasquantonio-at-newshour-dot-org

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Defying Gender Stereotypes - Lesson Plan | Lesson Plan | PBS NewsHour Extra

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Back to lesson plans archive English, social studies, physical education One 45-minute class Middle and High School With news of the National Football League hiring their first full-time female coach in history, classes will explore gender identity and stereotypes using four short student-produced videos from PBS Student Reporting Lab's new series, " Outside the Box.

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Discussion sheet 'Thinking About Why We Do Things' 

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Discussion sheet 'Thinking About Why We Do Things' 

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An activity for children to consider how much they want to do certain things - and why.

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the paper bag princess (munsch for kids)

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children's / teenage fiction & true stories

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juvenile fiction / action & adventure / general

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royalty (kings  queens  princes  princesses  knights  etc.)

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The Paper Bag Princess (Munsch for Kids)

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Buy The Paper Bag Princess (Munsch for Kids) by Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko (ISBN: 9780920236161) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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the sleeper and the spindle: winner of the cilip kate greenaway medal 2016

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children's / teenage fiction: classic fiction

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The Sleeper and the Spindle: WINNER OF THE CILIP KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL 2016

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Buy The Sleeper and the Spindle: WINNER OF THE CILIP KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL 2016 by Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell (ISBN: 8601410706135) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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juvenile fiction / social themes / self-esteem & self-reliance

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social themes - self-esteem & self-reliance

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Not All Princesses Dress in Pink Not all princesses dress in pink.Some play in bright red socks that stink, blue team jerseys that don't quite fit, accessorized with a baseball mitt, and a sparkly crown!Princesses come in all kinds. Exuberant text from Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Yolen Stem...

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A starting point where teachers and chn can question, redefine and re-imagine fairy tale archetypes. Enabling chn to see how behaviours can define a character rather than preconceptions, expectations and appearance. By @KSunray

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YES YOU CAN shows kids that ALL toys, colours, clothes & hobbies are for ALL children by shining a light on gender stereotypes in a child-friendly way.

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Buy Yes You Can! by Cheryl Rickman, Claire Keay (ISBN: 9781546806127) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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psychometric success spatial ability - practice test 1

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Look at and discuss the difference between the toys advertised.

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Pink and Blue: Communicating Gender to Children | Anthony Schullo | TEDxNorthCentralCollege

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Beyond the Blue and Pink Toy Divide | Elizabeth Sweet | TEDxUCDavisSalon

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Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment - BBC Stories

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Worksheet Homework for Parents LOCKED 3003

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Children in nearly 5000 Church of England (C of E) nurseries and primary schools across the country are being encouraged to let their children explore and express their gender identity.

The new guidelines from the C of E said children should be free to wear princess tiaras, heels, fireman's helmets and superhero cloaks without being bullied or criticised.

To discuss one of Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid's favourite topics, we were joined by Andrea Williams, who says this new approach is dangerous for children - and Rae Duke who thinks these new guidelines are a step in the right direction.
Watch the debate in full above. You might also be interested in:

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Church of England schools are told to let pupils experiment with gender

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Children in nearly 5000 Church of England (C of E) nurseries and primary schools across the country are being encouraged to let their children explore and express their gender identity. The new guidelines from the C of E said children should be free to wear princess tiaras, heels, fireman's helmets and superhero cloaks without being bullied or criticised.

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I had the idea for a poem about stores that take down the Girls or Boys sign but still carry on selling obviously girl/boy orientated stuff. I deliberately did not put a gender on the adult or child in the poem to aid discussion. There's also a  twist on the PINK OR BLUE? debate...

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PDF Pack of School Learning Resources based on 'Porridge the Tartan Cat and the Brawsome Bagpipes' - Alan Dapré

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PDF Pack of School Learning Resources based on 'Porridge the Tartan Cat and the Brawsome Bagpipes' - Alan Dapré

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Speaking, Listening, Creative Writing, Expressive Arts activities (Linked to Scottish CfE but tasks applicable to National Curriculum)

The series features girl & boy twins who are go-getting, resourceful and adventurous. Written by a former Deputy Head Teacher to appeal and interest girls and boys - feedback indicates this.

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Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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Powerpoint delivered to parents to introduce Gender Neutral Teaching in a Primary School

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At TEDWomen, Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don't "act like a man." Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the "man box."

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Inspiring The Future - Redraw The Balance

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Gender Equality.

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President Obama Speaks at the White House Summit on the United State of Women

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There's a lot that's been done by and for women and girls, but there's still plenty to do. Convened by the White House, the United State of Women Summit will rally all of us together to celebrate what we've achieved, and how we're going to take action moving forward.

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Teach citizenship, history, literacy and more with teacher resources for key stages 1 to 5 from Parliament's Education Service

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This story is a part of Breakthrough, a short film anthology from Science Friday and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) that follows women working at the forefront of their fields. Learn more and watch the films on our Breakthrough spotlight.
"Breakthrough: Portraits of Women in Science" is a short film anthology from Science Friday and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) that follows women working at the forefront of their fields. Each episode blends deeply personal stories with innovative scientific research of women across STEM fields and takes viewers to places like the Arctic and to India's space agency. By showing that challenges such as deeply-rooted cultural or institutional norms, grueling working conditions, or personal tragedy and sacrifice are not insurmountable obstacles to becoming a scientist or engineer, "Breakthrough" hopes to inspire a future generation of women to lead careers in STEM fields.

This March for Women's History Month, Science Friday will host screenings of the complete series at select Alamo Drafthouse locations across the country. Sign up for our events newsletter to find out if we'll be coming to a theater near you!
Breakthrough: Bitter Water
For Navajo hydrologist Karletta Chief, water is sacred. At the University of Arizona, Chief studies the flow of water through the crannies and channels in soil. And when a mine spill contaminated a vital river in the Navajo Nation, her work was put on the front lines. On August 5, 2015, three million gallons of acid mine drainage gushed into the reservation's waterways after a plug was disturbed at the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. Chief embarked on an investigation of the potential environmental and health impacts it had on her community.
Breakthrough: The Killer Snail Chemist
These tiny cone snails may boast delicate and gorgeous shells, but they pack a powerful-and lethal-punch. The snails' venom can be fatal to various fish and even humans...but it could also offer a potential cure. Mandë Holfod, a biochemist at Hunter College and the American Museum of Natural History, works with a team to investigate the snails' venom and look for compounds that could be used to treat pain and cancer. Ancient cultures have traditionally used their natural environment to look for cures for the things that ail them, she explains. Now, researchers are investigating how "nature's deadliest cocktail" could create new pathways for treating old problems.
Breakthrough: Polar Bear Witness
For USGS wildlife biologist Karyn Rode, tracking and tranquilizing polar bears from a helicopter are the just the first thrilling steps in her research. After acquiring various samples from sleeping bears, Dr. Rode's unique understanding of what they eat and how quickly they metabolize nutrients allows her to determine the condition of each bear. Working with a team of scientists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for nearly a decade, Dr. Rode's monitoring of polar bear health has helped reveal how well populations are adapting to the rapidly warming Arctic.
Breakthrough: Connecting the Drops
Bacteria and viruses hitch a ride inside droplets of all kinds-sneezes, raindrops, toilet splatter. By reviewing footage of different types of drops, applied mathematician Lydia Bourouiba records and measures where they disperse in order to better understand how diseases spread. Watch how Bourouiba designs tests-some inescapably humorous and awkward-to study infectious disease transmission.
Breakthrough: Snapshots from Afar
In the second episode of Science Friday and HHMI's series "Breakthrough: Portraits of Women in Science," three scientists share stories about India's first interplanetary mission-a mission to Mars. With limited time and budget to design and launch the satellite-called MOM (for Mars Orbiter Mission)-Seetha Somasundaram, Nandini Harinath, and Minal Rohit spent long hours in the clean room, followed by tense and exciting moments tracking the satellite as it entered Mars's orbit. Their efforts helped India become the first nation to successfully reach the Red Planet on its first attempt.
Breakthrough: A Re-sounding Remedy
In 2004, pediatric audiologist Allyson Sisler-Dinwiddie plunged into a world of silence after a car accident damaged her hearing. Under the care of hearing researcher Rene Gifford, she became one of the first test subjects of a new technique to improve cochlear implants, devices that use electrodes to stimulate cells in the inner ear. Since then, Sisler-Dinwiddie and Gifford have worked together to restore other patients' hearing. Watch the pair and their team at Vanderbilt University as they develop a resounding remedy to help people hear again.

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Breakthrough: Portraits Of Women In Science

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Explore our short film anthology that follows women in science working at the forefront of their fields.

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Stereotyped ideas about what's suitable for boys or girls can limit children's opportunities to learn and develop. Here are ten things teachers can do to help create an environment which encourages children to think of themselves as individuals, rather than editing their choices through a gender filter.

See our schools pages for lesson plans for different age groups, more information on why stereotypes matter in school and links to other useful resources.

1/ Create a safe space

School should be a safe environment to learn and explore - you can help children by affirming unconventional choices, reassuring them that it's OK to be different and encouraging a culture of acceptance.

"Boys [in Reception] sometimes want to wear the Princess dresses. This bothers one or two of the staff and sometimes parents object. One boy wanted to wear the Mummy Bear outfit, an apron, and mum questioned this. We encourage staff to support the children's choices - our role is to accept what comes out of the role play." Teacher

2/ Challenge stereotypes when you hear them

'Why can't a boy wear pink? My Dad does.' 'Why can't a girl like football? My wife plays for our local women's team.' Children are often very keen to 'police' one another and make sure their peers follow the gender 'rules' they've learned. You can set the example by questioning them, and offering counter-examples from your own experience.

@LetToysBeToys My daughter got teased at school for wearing "boys' clothes." Her favorite shirt is blue and has a car. Now won't wear it. 🙁

- I. D. (@DanicaIgrutin) September 8, 2014

3/ Talk about stereotypes

The Let Toys Be Toys lesson plan activities for Reception/ Year 1, lower KS2, upper KS2 and KS3/lower secondary are designed to help pupils start to question stereotypes about boys and girls, and we've pulled together links to more resources and ideas.

4/ Provide a range of role models

Give children real-life examples that counter stereotypes, both in your own activities, and in topic work and external visitors.

"My daughter pointed out to me recently that all the science groups in her Y2 class are named after men. And politicians bemoan the lack of women in science without seeing any connection!" Caren

"When I heard the new topic was 'superheroes' I was concerned this would be full of aggressive beefcakes 'to get the boys interested', but it was great. The staff made sure to include female heroes, and they looked at of different sorts of 'heroism' - eg a nurse, plumber." Jane, Cardiff

"I tell the kids that I'm the person who cooks in our house. I didn't think of this as breaking down stereotypes until now." Teacher

"Where possible we also try to get visitors who challenge stereotypes so we always ask if we can have a female firefighter or police officer or a male nurse... We're also trying to get some of our male staff to help with things like knitting club (they're willing but need to learn the basics!) and more women playing football." Teacher

5/ Make the most of books

Take a look at the stories and factual books in your classroom. Are there examples of working women, caring fathers, active girls and creative boys? Are all the animals in the stories male?

Carefully chosen books can be very helpful in challenging stereotypes - the It's Child's Play report from the NUT's Breaking the Mould project has suggestions of books with additional notes and ideas for discussion. Inclusive book retailer Letterbox Library has a great selection, including themed book packs for schools and nurseries.

"We picked William's Doll on purpose partly because the father is in charge at home [William's mother is not mentioned in the story - only his Grandmother]. But we also wanted the boys to see that they can make their own choices - and to try and stop the other boys telling each other what they should be doing." Teacher

Labelling a bookshelf 'Boys' Books' might seem like a good way to encourage reluctant boy readers, but this can be counterproductive, reminding boys of the stereotype that they are supposedly less interested in reading, and encouraging the idea that only certain interests are allowed.

6/ Look at who uses which spaces and equipment

Do certain areas get dominated by certain groups, or by one gender or the other? Are there changes or movements you could make to encourage children to feel equally free to use the home corner, the reading corner, the bikes, the Lego...

"The colour of things is very significant - often children would play with anything unless it was pink - in which case the boys wouldn't touch it and, sometimes, the girls would be quite proprietorial about it. Perhaps we should just get rid of anything pink..." Teacher

7/ Make sure there aren't 'girls' jobs and 'boys' jobs

Who gets asked to do what? Is it always 'three strong boys' who move the chairs? Or 'two trustworthy girls' who take a message? It's easy to fall into a pattern - mix it up and try asking someone different.

"EVERY assembly I've attended has had all major parts performed by girls even when they don't need to be. Drives me CRAZY." Jenny, London

"I asked some Year 4 girls to put out the chairs. They said 'great - we never get asked to do that' - so I think they do notice the different ways in which genders are treated." Teacher

8/ Pick other ways to divide up the children

Are girls' and boys' coat pegs labels or lunchbag shelves coloured pink or blue? Do boys and girls line up separately? Using gender to divide the children up can be quick and convenient, but it gives them the constant message that being a boy or a girl is the most important thing about them and reinforces stereotypes. Getting the children to line up a different way - by age, birthday, alphabetically - can be a subtle but effective way of encouraging them to think about their identity in different ways.

Encouraging children to work in mixed pairs or groups can have benefits too.

"Working in mixed pairs and groups challenges them - they have to be more adventurous about talking and learning from each other. They stay on task more and talk in full sentences. It keeps them on their toes because it is different from the playground where they tend to play in single sex groups. Some children object but we usually find they are the ones it's most effective with!" Teacher

9/ Use inclusive language

Small changes, like saying 'children' instead of 'girls and boys' or 'parents and carers' or 'families' rather than 'Mums and Dads' can help to affirm the things we have in common rather than our differences.

10/ Think about rewards and sanctions

Are boys and girls rewarded differently, or given different sanctions for similar behaviour? Do rewards imply that you think boys and girls can't like the same things?

"My daughter was quite upset when ALL the boys were punished for a rowdy game that SOME of the boys had been playing. She could see it was unfair to just assume they all behave the same way. What are they supposed to learn from that?" Jane, Cardiff

"My son's teacher gave out end of term books, which was really nice of her, but they were wrapped in pink/blue and labelled 'Boy' or 'Girl'. The boys got a dinosaur or pirate book and the girls got princesses and glitter. On the other hand my daughter's teacher also gave out books; my daughter (7) got a science one as she loves science and the teacher had chosen them books based on their own interests, which was just brilliant. Shows how it can be done!" Jennifer, Essex

"I thought they would complain but they didn't [when I handed out pink and blue reward stickers randomly]. I realised that I was the one who, unconsciously, had been affirming stereotypes about pink and blue." Teacher

This material draws on the NUT's . Quotes are drawn from the project report and supporters of the Breaking the Mould project resources. These contain more ideas and examples of how to challenge gender stereotypes in the classroom, particularly the report Boys' Things and Girls' Things Let Toys Be Toys campaign.

See our schools pages for a lesson plan, more information on why stereotypes matter in school and links to other useful resources.

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Ten ways to challenge gender stereotypes in the classroom

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See our schools pages for lesson plans for different age groups, more information on why stereotypes matter in school and links to other useful resources. School should be a safe environment to learn and explore - you can help children by affirming unconventional choices, reassuring them that it's OK to be different and encouraging a culture of acceptance.

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A book to write and draw pictures about gender stereotypes.

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A book to write and draw pictures about gender stereotypes.

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Tangram Puzzle