# data[].attributes.body
Lang, S., & Lang, M. (2015). Families, families, families! London: Picture Corgi.

Newman, L. (2017). Sparkle boy. New York: Lee & Low Books.

O'Leary, S., & Leng, Q. (2018). A family is a family is a family. Toronto: Groundwood Books.
Schiffer, M. B. (2015).

Pearlman, R., & Kaban, E. (2018). Pink is for boys. Philadelphia: RP/Kids.

Stella brings the family. San Francisco: Chronicle Books

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AMAZE Org. (2019, June 20). Range of Gender Identities. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i83VQIaDlQw

Chronicle of Higher Education. (2015, September 3). What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnbnF8QAnsY

jugpeterson. (2016). Do's & Don't's. [Kahoot Quiz]. https://create.kahoot.it/details/8370db75-f988-4325-b25b-5456bf64fb8d

TEDx Talks. (2019, October 2). Your words have the power to end suffering of LGBTQ youth. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zuqUpiM26c

TEDxTeen. (2017, November). To find success, embrace what makes you different. [Video] Ted. https://www.ted.com/talks/phillip_picardi_to_find_success_embrace_what_makes_you_different

TheChrisMosier. (2018, April 3). LGBTQ inclusion - Tips for Elementary Teachers. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te3kgKo_-PA

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Bunker, L. (2019). Zenobia July. New York City: Viking Books for Young Readers.

Gino, A. (2015). George. Scholastic.

Konigsberg, B. (2013). Openly Straight. Levine Books.

Polonsky, A. (2014). Gracefully Grayson. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Verdi, J. (2018). And She Was. Scholastic Press.

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Brill, S. A. (2016). The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens. Cleis Press.

Fisher, E. S., & Komosa-Hawkins, K. (2013). Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments A Guide for Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth and Families. Routledge.

France, P. (2019, May 31). Supporting lgbtq students in elementary school. Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-lgbtq-students-elementary-school

Pepper, R., & Brill, S. A. (2008). The Transgender Child : A Handbook for Families and Professionals. Cleis Press.

Sadowski, M., & Jennings, K. (2016). Safe Is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students. Harvard Education Press.

Shane, K. (2020). The educator's guide to LGBT+ inclusion: A practical resource for K-12 teachers, administrators, and school support staff. London: Jessica Kingsley.

# data[].attributes.body
Encircle. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://encircletogether.org/
GLSEN. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.glsen.org/
Mama Dragons Home (n.d.) Retrieved from https://mamadragons.org/
PFLAG. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pflag.org
The Trevor Project (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Welcome to the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.utahlgbtqchamber.org/

# data[].attributes.body
Holly’s Social Studies Store. (2019). LGBTQ Civil Rights Lesson. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/LGBTQ-Civil-Rights-Lesson-3486892?st=d7f858f0b2e42f3996f44fb0b8bfc015

Out For Safe Schools. (n.d.) LGBTQ+ History Lesson. Retrieved from https://www.onearchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/one-archives-foundation-civil-rights.pdf

Robson, M. (2019). LGBTQ+ Lesson. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/LGBTQ-Lesson-4654490?st=d7f858f0b2e42f3996f44fb0b8bfc015

Welcoming Schools (n.d.). Red: A Crayon's Story - There's More to Me Than You Can See. Retrieved from https://assets2.hrc.org/welcoming-schools/documents/WS_Lesson_Red_A_Crayons_Story.pdf

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Written by Miriam B. Schiffer
Grades: 1st-5th
Follows the story of a young girl with two dads. She isn't sure what to do for her school's mothers day celebration. Great for celebrating all types of families and focusing characteristics make up a family.

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Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.

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Stella Brings the Family [Schiffer, Miriam B., Clifton-Brown, Holly] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Stella Brings the Family

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Written by Sara O'Leary
Grades: 1st-5th
Has great representation of all sorts of families. Focuses on what qualities make up families.

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When a teacher asks her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different, but the same in one important way ...

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways ― but the same in the one way that matters most of all.

One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One has many stepsiblings, and another has a new baby in the family.

As her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them ― family of every shape, size and every kind of relation ― the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, it is special.

A warm and whimsical look at many types of families, written by award-winning author Sara O'Leary, with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6
Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.9
Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6
Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

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A Family Is a Family Is a Family [Sara O'Leary, Leng, Qin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A Family Is a Family Is a Family

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Written by Leslea Newman
Grades: Pre-K to 3rd
A great book to celebrate the individual and special characteristics of students. It is a great way to show that all that matters is that you should be proud of who you are and what you like.

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Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants to wear a shimmery skirt too. When Jessie comes home from a party with glittery nails, Casey want...

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Written by Robb Pearlman
Grades: Pre-K to 3rd
This book focuses on demolishing gender norms and is a great way to show that there are not just boy colors or girl colors.

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Pink Is for Boys [Pearlman, Robb, Kaban, Eda] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Pink Is for Boys

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Written by Suzanne Lang
Grades: Pre-K to 3rd
Great for young children to see representation in all forms. Is awesome for a younger classroom to start the conversation on how diverse families can be and that it should be celebrated.

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Families, Families, Families! [Lang, Suzanne] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Families, Families, Families!

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Written by Ami Polonsky
Grades: 7-9
Grayson was born a boy however; Grayson has always felt like a girl.  Grayson has kept his gender a secret for fear of what would happen if anyone found out this secret. With the help from a new friend and a kind teacher, Grayson gains new strength to tell everyone his accurate gender. This story calls attention to the importance of identity, self-esteem, and acceptance.

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Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "He" is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender's body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson's true self itches to break free. Will new strength from an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher's wisdom be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?

This moving, beautifully written novel about identity, self-esteem, and friendship shines with the strength of a young person's spirit and the power of acceptance.

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Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "He" is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender's body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson's true self itches to break free.

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Written by Bill Konigsberg
Grades: 9-12
This story is written from the viewpoint of an openly gay boy as he navigates through his high school years. This story helps young readers who are both gay and straight understand the importance of trying new things, making lasting friendships, and being authentic to oneself and others.

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A funny, honest novel about being out, being proud...and being ready for something else. Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write. And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that gay guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret - not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben...who doesn't even know that love is possible.

This witty, smart, coming-out-again story will appeal to gay and straight kids alike as they watch Rafe navigate being different, fitting in, and what it means to be himself.

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A funny, honest novel about being out, being proud...and being ready for something else. Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write. And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff.

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Written by Jessica Verdi
Grades: 11-12
This story follows the life of a girl who unexpectedly finds out that her mother is transgender. This story gives young readers and insight into the life of a teen whose parent is not cisgender. Young readers are able to learn the importance of being “true to oneself” while loving and accepting others.

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Dara's lived a sheltered life with her single mom, Mellie. Now, at eighteen, she's dreaming of more. When Dara digs up her never-before-seen birth certificate, her world implodes. Why are two strangers listed as her parents? Dara confronts her mother, and is stunned by what she learns: Mellie is transgender. The unfamiliar name listed under "father"? That's Mellie. She transitioned when Dara was a baby, after Dara's birth mother died. She changed her name, started over. But Dara still has more questions than answers. Reeling, she sets off on an impromptu road trip with her best guy friend, Sam, in tow. She is determined to find the extended family she's never even met. What she does discover - and what her mother reveals, piece by piece, over emails - will challenge and change Dara more than she can imagine.
This is a gorgeous, timely, and essential novel about the importance of being our true selves. The back matter includes an author's note and resources for readers.

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Dara's lived a sheltered life with her single mom, Mellie. Now, at eighteen, she's dreaming of more. When Dara digs up her never-before-seen birth certificate, her world implodes. Why are two strangers listed as her parents? Dara confronts her mother, and is stunned by what she learns: Mellie is transgender.

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Written by Alex Gino
Grades: 6-8
This story tells the life of a courageous ‘boy’ who is misgendered and is determined to let everyone know ‘his’ true gender; a girl. This story gives readers an example of believing in yourself and being able to stand up for who you are, even if you are standing up to someone who is intimidating.

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BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte - but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

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BE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web .

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Written by Lisa Bunker
Grades: 5–9
This book follows the story of Zenobia July; a girl who was born a boy. This story challenges gender norms, shows the courage it takes for LGBTQ students to be open about their true gender, and it discusses the negative consequences of cyberbullying.

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The critically acclaimed author of Felix Yz crafts a bold, heartfelt story about a trans girl solving a cyber mystery and coming into her own.

Zenobia July is starting a new life. She used to live in Arizona with her father; now she's in Maine with her aunts. She used to spend most of her time behind a computer screen, improving her impressive coding and hacking skills; now she's coming out of her shell and discovering a community of friends at Monarch Middle School. People used to tell her she was a boy; now she's able to live openly as the girl she always knew she was.

When someone anonymously posts hateful memes on her school's website, Zenobia knows she's the one with the abilities to solve the mystery, all while wrestling with the challenges of a new school, a new family, and coming to grips with presenting her true gender for the first time. Timely and touching, Zenobia July is, at its heart, a story about finding home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:

9780451479402

Publisher:

Penguin Young Readers Group

Publication date:

05/21/2019

Pages:

320

Sales rank:

84,346

Product dimensions:

5.80(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.20(d)

Lexile:

HL610L ( what's this?)

Age Range:

10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Lisa Bunker lives in Exeter, New Hampshire. Before taking up writing full time, she had a thirty-year career in public and community radio. In November of 2018, she was elected to represent her town in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. She is married and has two grown children. Her geekeries include chess, piano, gender, storycraft, and language.

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2019

It's a year of big changes for Zenobia July. After her father died in what is being called a hunting accident (her mother passed away when she was small), she has moved from Arizona to Portland, Maine, to live with Aunts Phil and Lucy-a quirky couple with a diverse friend group, including the larger-than-life drag queen "Sprinkles." She's also starting school for the first time as a trans girl. Zen bonds with the middle school's band of "orphan misfits," which includes genderqueer Arli, Congolese immigrant Chantal, and new kid Elijah, who is eventually outed as trans. But even with the support and love of her aunts, she wrestles daily with the person she sees in the mirror. A boost of self-confidence comes when Zen, a talented hacker, uses her skills to help the school discover who is posting anti-Muslim and transphobic smears to the school website. Bunker ( Felix Yz) brings considerable empathy and skill to her authentic, nuanced portrayal, balancing Zen's darker moments with humor. Though Zen is haunted by self-doubt and anxiety, she's bolstered by the kindness and acceptance of her friends and new family. Brief interludes by those in Zenobia's orbit add perspective. An accessible and relatable story for anyone who is struggling to fit in. Ages 10-up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

2019-03-03

A young trans girl solves a mystery and finds her people.

Zenobia July hasn't had an easy go of it: Her mom died when she was little, and her religious, conservative dad has just died in what might be a hunting accident but was probably suicide. She's shipped off to Portland, Maine, into the loving arms of her aunts Phil and Lu, an eccentric but competent hippie/academic lesbian couple. Zenobia makes friends with a gang of misfits fairly easily, but she still doesn't want anyone to know that she's trans (even after new friend Elijah is outed and her main confidant, Arli, genderqueer with vo/ven/veir pronouns, cringingly tries to convince Zenobia to be a better ally). Zenobia's hacker skills come in handy when a mysterious troll posts transphobic and anti-Muslim memes to the school's website, and her new friendships are put to various tests. Zenobia is an endearing white trans girl heroine, with an accessible amount of angst and anxiety that never tips over into titillating tragedy. Her community of weirdos and queers (including her aunts' drag-queen friend Sprink) offers desperately needed representation. Hijab-wearing Congolese immigrant Dyna and Asian Elijah provide some racial diversity, though the default is white.

A fun read that manages to feel solidly traditional while breaking new ground (Fiction. 8-13)

Kirkus Reviews

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The critically acclaimed author of Felix Yz crafts a bold, heartfelt story about a trans girl solving a cyber mystery and coming into her own.Zenobia July is starting a new life. She used to live in Arizona with her father; now she's in Maine with her aunts. She used to...

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The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals

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The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals

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For Elementary Teachers
Written by Rachel Pepper and        Stephanie A. Brill
This book is written to provide educators and parents with research based information on how to raise and guide children with gender variance. This book helps parents and educators know how to respond and advocate for gender variance, know what laws and rights transgender children have, and what doctors and therapists recommend to help transgender children transition.

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The Transgender Child: A Handbook for... book by Rachel Pepper

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Buy a cheap copy of The Transgender Child: A Handbook for... book by Rachel Pepper. This comprehensive first of its kind guidebook explores the unique challenges that thousands of families face every day raising their children in every city and... Free Shipping on all orders over $10.

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Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments A Guide for Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth and Families

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Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments A Guide for Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth and Families

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For Elementary Teachers
Edited By Emily S. Fisher and Karen Komosa-Hawkins
This book offers educators researched based information and comprehensive ideas on creating a safe classroom environment to support LGBTQ students. Educators will learn the social and political trends as well as the legal mandates that affect LGBTQ students.

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Table of Contents

Part I: Theoretical Foundations and Background 1. Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students, Parents, and Families Emily S. Fisher 2. Putting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Context: Historical Influences and Social Trends Judy Chiasson and Ronni Sanlo 3. Adolescent Development: Identity, Intimacy, and Exploration Omar B. Jamil, Gary W. Harper, and Douglas Bruce 4. Promoting Resilience in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Karen Komosa-Hawkins and G. Thomas Schanding, Jr. 5. Transgender and Intersex Students: Supporting Resilience and Empowerment Anneliese A. Singh 6. Diversity Across the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Community Cirleen DeBlaere and Melanie Brewster Part II: Applications in the Schools and Community 7. Law, Policy, and Ethics: What School Professionals Need to Know Asaf Orr and Karen Komosa-Hawkins 8. Training School Professionals to Work with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students and Parents Joy S. Whitman 9. Safe Schools: Prevention and Intervention for Bullying and Harassment Dorothy L. Espelage and Mrinalini A. Rao 10. Responsive Classroom Curriculum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students Emily A. Gre ytak and Joseph G. Kosciw 11. Creating Inclusive School Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Headed Families and Their Children Alicia L. Fedewa and Ashley Candelaria 12. Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students Grady L. Garner, Jr. and Dennis M. Emano 13. Educating and Empowering Families of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students Caitlin Ryan and Stuart F. Chen-Hayes 14. Educators as Allies in Support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students and Parents Robert A. McGarry 15. Accessing Community Resources: Providing Support for All Kelly S. Kennedy

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Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments: A Guide for Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth and Families

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The importance of creating safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students in the school environment cannot be overstated. It is one of the most prominent issues facing school professionals today, and its success has lasting, positive effects on the entire student body.

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The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens

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The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens

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For Secondary Teachers
Written by Stephanie A. Brill
This book provides educators with extensive information on how to help teen students who are transgender, gender-variant, and gender-fluid develop and thrive inside and outside of the classroom. Topics such as physical, emotional, and social development are thoroughly discussed as well as how to help transgender, gender-variant, and gender-fluid students smoothly transition to careers and colleges after high school.

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The Transgender Teen book. Read 32 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Is it just a phase, a fad, or a real issue with your teen? Thi...

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Safe Is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students

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Safe Is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students

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For Secondary Teachers
Written by Michael Sadowski and Kevin Jennings
This book provides educators with several examples to create entirely inclusive schools for LGBTQ students. In order to create schools that welcome and support LGBTQ students, this book provides teachers with ideas on incorporating LGBTQ curriculum, LGBTQ inclusive school climates, LGBTQ role models.

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ISBN-10:

1612509428

ISBN-13:

9781612509426

Pub. Date:

08/09/2016

Publisher:

Harvard Education Press

Safe Is Not Enough illustrates how educators can support the positive development of LGBTQ students in a comprehensive way so as to create truly inclusive school communities. Using examples from classrooms, schools, and districts across the country, Michael Sadowski identifies emerging practices such as creating an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum; fostering a whole-school climate that is supportive of LGBTQ students; providing adults who can act as mentors and role models; and initiating effective family and community outreach programs. While progress on LGBTQ issues in schools remains slow, in many parts of the country schools have begun making strides toward becoming safer, more welcoming places for LGBTQ students. Schools typically achieve this by revising antibullying policies and establishing GSAs (gay-straight student alliances). But it takes more than a deficit-based approach for schools to become places where LGBTQ students can fulfill their potential. In Safe Is Not Enough, Michael Sadowski highlights how educators can make their schools more supportive of LGBTQ students' positive development and academic success.

About the Author

Michael Sadowski teaches about youth development and education at Bard College and is director of the Bard Early College-Hudson Initiative, a program to offer Bard courses to high school students in New York's Hudson Valley. He is the author of In a Queer Voice: Journeys of Resilience from Adolescence to Adulthood (Temple University Press, 2013) and Portraits of Promise: Voices of Successful Immigrant Students (Harvard Education Press, 2013). He also is the editor of the Harvard Education Press book series on youth development and education; Adolescents at School: Perspectives on Youth, Identity, and Education, now in its second edition with Harvard Education Press; and Teaching Immigrant and Second-Language Students: Strategies for Success (Harvard Education Press, 2004). He has written numerous articles and book chapters for publications such as Educational Leadership, Issues in Teacher Education, and the Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development, and he has contributed op-ed pieces to the LGBTQ news magazine the Advocate. In addition, Michael was editor of the Harvard Education Letter, for which he won the National Press Club Award for analytical newsletter journalism; served as a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; was vice-chair of the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth; and taught high school and middle school English and theatre at public schools in New York and Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Foreword Kevin Jennings vii

Introduction: Beyond "Safe" Schools: Educating the Next Generation of LGBTQ Students 1

1 Bringing the Conversation into the Classroom 21

2 Transforming the Building 39

3 Turning Adversity into Activism 53

4 Tapping into Community Assets 67

5 Respecting the "T" in LGBTQ 81

6 Opening Up Spaces for Discussion 97

7 Making It Elementary 113

8 Where Do You Start?: Beginning with Core Values-but Not Ending There 133

Afterword: Beyond "Better": Envisioning the Ideal School for LGBTQ Students 145

Appendix A Artifacts of Practice 153

Syllabus for Sara Barber-Just's Course "LGBTQ Literature" at Amherst (MA) High School 153

Sample Assignment from Sara Barber-Just's Course "LGBTQ Literature" at Amherst (MA) High School 156

"Why Our Middle School Has a Gay-Straight Alliance," Donald F. Gately EdD, Principal, Jericho (NY) Middle School 158

Farrington (HI) High School GSA 2014-2015 Calendar of Events 164

Los Angeles Unified School District Policy Bulletin, "Transgender Students-Ensuring Equity and Nondiscrimination" 167

Decatur (GA) High School Group Information Prescreening Form 177

"Responding to Some Concerns about Being LGBT-Inclusive," from Welcoming Schools: An Inclusive Approach to Addressing Family Diversity, Gender Stereotyping, and Name-Calling in K-5 Learning Environments 181

Avon (IN) Community School Corporation 2012 Strategic Plan 186

Appendix B Online Resources 187

Notes 195

Acknowledgments 205

About the Author 207

Index 209

Editorial Reviews

"The detailed suggestions for advocacy and change are comprehensive and persuasive ... As useful as it is essential." -Amanda MacGregor, School Library Journal

From the Publisher

★ 11/01/2016
As are doing, the impact of race and socioeconomic status, transgender students' unique needs, and avenues beyond GSAs for students to meet and talk. Sadowski profiles educators and programs, looks at policies, and offers arguments and counterarguments. He notes that progress is not uniform throughout the country and that students in some identity categories are more at risk than others. Additionally, there is a chapter dedicated to helping schools implement the ideas outlined here. It is clear that everyone benefits from more inclusive curriculum and policies and that moving beyond the idea of just being safe sends a stronger message of affirmation, value, respect, and acceptance. Though this is a brief volume, the detailed suggestions for advocacy and change are comprehensive and persuasive. Appended are a course syllabus, handouts, GSA materials, and a policy regarding transgender students that can be adapted for use. Online resources addressing curriculum, student support, and more are included. VERDICT As useful as it is essential.-Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Great River Regional Library, Saint Cloud, MN

School Library Journal

Read More

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Safe Is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students|Paperback

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Safe Is Not Enough illustrates how educators can support the positive development of LGBTQ students in a comprehensive way so as to create truly inclusive school communities. Using examples from classrooms, schools, and districts across the country, Michael Sadowski identifies emerging...

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Secondary
Written by Kryss Shane
This book covers the hardships that LGBTQ+ students face in their school years. It covers topics such as suicide and bullying and how teachers can become better advocates for their students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / student life & student affairs

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education - curricula - social aspects - united states

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/student life & student affairs

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education: care & counselling of students

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gender studies: transsexuals & hermaphroditism

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homosexuality and education - united states

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lgbt; lgbt+; k-12; american school system; gender; sexuality; gender identity; sexual orientation; lesbian; gay; bisexual; asexual; pansexual; transgender; non-binary; non-conforming; agender; education academic; teacher; administrator; continuing education; foundational knowledge

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school environment - social aspects - united states

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sexual minority students - united states

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sexual minority youth - education - united states

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teachers - training of - social aspects - united states

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education / student life & student affairs

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education/student life & student affairs

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education: care & counselling of students

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gender studies: transsexuals & hermaphroditism

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The Educator's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion [Shane, Kryss] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Educator's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion

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Supporting LGBTQ Students in Elementary School

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Supporting LGBTQ Students in Elementary School

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Elementary
Written by Paul Emerich France
This article talks about the importance of having conversations about gender and the LGBTQ+ community. The author gives advice on how to make a classroom more inclusive and supports the idea that teaching kids about this can never start too early.

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Three strategies elementary school teachers can use to foster a sense of inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students.

Jing Jing Tsong / theiSpot

"Paul, do you have a girlfriend?" Parker asked me.

"I don't," I replied succinctly, hoping to avoid the topic altogether.

"Why?" she queried.

"Because I don't want one," I said.

"Why?" she asked again, smiling up at me.

It was clear I wasn't getting out of this one. This first grader had questions-and would demand answers.

"Because I have a boyfriend," I finally exhaled.

"Oh, that's weird," she said.

"I understand. Sometimes when things are different, they seem a little weird," I replied. "Why do you think it's weird?"

"Well, I just don't like when people make fun of you. I feel bad for you."

In these few minutes, it seemed as though my heart was broken and put back together all at once.

We adults often think of sexuality and gender as things that are out of reach for students-especially our youngest ones. We project our discomfort on them, assuming that discussing sexuality, biological sex, or gender is inappropriate for young students. But it's clear from conversations like the one I had with Parker that children come into our classrooms with a wealth of knowledge.

One of our jobs as educators is to welcome students' perspectives into the classroom. But we can also dismantle ways of thinking that reinforce the gender dichotomy and heteronormativity, and we must create safe spaces for children to explore their identities and empathize with those who are different from them.

In 2017, the CDC estimated that 8 percent of high school students identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, estimates that one in 10 educators in the United States identifies as LGBTQ. These data provide the moral imperative for showing pride in the classroom-for finding ways to include the LGBTQ community in our curriculum. The problem is that most teachers don't know where to start, even in spaces where the LGBTQ community is already welcomed and visible.

3 Ways to Create an LGBTQ-Inclusive Classroom

1. Include LGBTQ children's literature in your class library: As educators, we should provide both windows and mirrors in our curriculum, ensuring that our book selection represents a diverse array of people and identities. This includes the LGBTQ community. While you may not know it yet-especially if you teach young children-there are students who will identify as LGBTQ at some point in their lives. Our job is to provide a safe space and role models for them as they age.

This also means that we must represent the intersectionality that exists in the LGBTQ community, sharing stories of different genders, ethnicities, races, religions, and classes.

Here are a few of my book recommendations, which are mostly for grades K to 5:

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

Queer Heroes: Meet 52 LGBTQ Heroes From the Past and Present by Arabelle Sicardi

Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman

A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Leary

George by Alex Gino

The Boy and the Bindi by Vivek Shraya

2. Rethink practices that reinforce the gender dichotomy: Gender is constructed through intergenerational experiences and social norms. Once we're aware of this, we can deconstruct the gender dichotomy and rebuild it as a fluid spectrum.

There are some simple ways to do this. Start saying, "Good morning, everyone!" instead of, "Good morning, boys and girls!" Have critical conversations with your kids about the many assumptions we make based on gender, providing counterexamples, like boys who like to sing or girls who play sports.

I've even written gender out of the stories I write with my class. In one instance, I was writing a fairy tale adaptation of Cinderella, modeling for my class.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" one student queried.

"Maybe we don't need to assign our character a gender," I replied, using the pronoun their deliberately throughout.

3. Capitalize on teachable moments: My experience with Parker didn't happen because I planned it. It happened because Parker wanted to know me better-she wanted to find out about a part of my personal life. Over the course of her rather short life, Parker had learned that lots of adults have special people in their lives, and when those people aren't husbands or wives, they are often boyfriends or girlfriends. To her, it seemed only natural to ask.

I could have shied away from the conversation, as I intended to do at the outset. In hindsight, I'm glad I took the teachable moment by the horns.

If you're an LGBTQ educator like me, embracing these moments allows us to share a piece of ourselves that can provide either a window or a mirror into a whole set of stories to which most of our children have not been exposed. If you're not, such moments provide you an opportunity to demonstrate how to be an ally for the LGBTQ community.

It's scary, I know. For so many of us, this is uncharted territory. But to ignore these moments would be to operate in opposition to justice. To quiet students' voices would mean crushing autonomy, courage, and vulnerability. And as educators, we cannot and must not do that.

We have a responsibility, you see. And as we enter into Pride Month, I hope it's one that you don't take lightly.

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Supporting LGBTQ Students in Elementary School

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Three strategies elementary school teachers can use to foster a sense of inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students. Jing Jing Tsong / theiSpot "Paul, do you have a girlfriend?" Parker asked me. "I don't," I replied succinctly, hoping to avoid the topic altogether. "Why?" she queried.

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For students and teachers

This 3-minute youtube video explains the differences between sex, gender and gender identities in a funny cartoonish way. It is made for grades 6 through 12.

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For teachers

This 12-min Tedx Talk is about the story of a woman, Kat Clark, who talks about her story coming out to her adoptive parents. She talks about how simple words can have such a strong impact on young LGBTQ+ people.

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This book is a great story about 2 male penguins who really want to have a family. They end up adopting an egg. It shows the perspective of a homosexual couple and their process of having a family. This is a great way to show young children about same sex couples and marriage. This book is identified as specific to Pre-k-3.

Bibliography:
Richardson, J., Parnell, P., & Cole, H. (2015). And Tango makes three. New York: Little Simon.

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and tango makes three (classic board books)

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children's / teenage: general non-fiction

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juvenile nonfiction / family / alternative family

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penguins; zoo; new york city; nyc; central park zoo; roy and silo; tango; parents; family; nontraditional family; non-traditional family; fathers; gay fathers; homosexuality; gay; lgbtq; glbtq; egg; hatch; picture book; infertility; adoption; nonfiction; non-fiction; classic board book; board book; toddler; baby; board

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penguins; zoo; new york city; nyc; central park zoo; zoo; roy and silo; tango; parents; family; nontraditional family; non-traditional family; fathers; gay fathers; homosexuality; gay; lgbtq; glbtq; egg; hatch; picture book; infertility; adoption; nonfiction; non-fiction; classic board book; board book; toddler; baby; board

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juvenile nonfiction / family / alternative family

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children's / teenage: general non-fiction

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And Tango Makes Three (Classic Board Books)

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And Tango Makes Three (Classic Board Books) [Richardson, Justin, Parnell, Peter, Cole, Henry] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. And Tango Makes Three (Classic Board Books)

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For teachers or students

The Trevor Project is an organization that started in 1998. It’s purpose is to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ individuals under the age of 25. It is an excellent resource for educators to direct their LGBTQ+ students to if they suspect a need for their services.

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For teachers or students

GLSEN is an organization that was started by a group of teachers in 1990. According to their website, “[They] advise on, advocate for, and research comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ students as well as students of marginalized identities.” There are 43 chapters across 30 states and these chapters hold events to show support and solidarity for LGBTQ+ youth in schools.

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For students

A Utah-based organization, Encircle’s mission is to provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth when they may not have them available in their own homes. They are working to build LGBTQ+ living spaces, they provide therapy and daily programs to show support whenever possible.
They provide services for youth 12-17, 18-25, and for parents and family members of LGBTQ+ youth.

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For students and teachers

The Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce was started in 2012 and their goal, according to their website, is “to bring diversity and inclusion to businesses throughout Utah. We welcome all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, that means our allies, too! Our Chamber and our members play a crucial role in paving the way to advance the LGBTQ+ business community throughout the State of Utah.” It is a safe space where professional connections can be made especially for soon-to-graduate seniors.

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For teachers; can be distributed to parents under appropriate circumstances

Mama Dragons is an organization that consists of Utah women who are mothers to LGBTQ+ youth. The organization serves as a community where mothers can come together and share their experiences and resources with other mothers who are unsure how to navigate helping their LGBTQ+ youth. They also have Spanish resources available.

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This website is an acronym for parents, families, and friends of lesbians and gays. This website is friendly to all those who have a loved one who identifies as gay/lesbian. I think this is a very positive site to help those to educate themselves more and feel like they have a safe place to be that is relatable.

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This 30-minute presentation serves as a wonderful introduction to LGBTQ+ terminology and presents it in a mature and simple way. It is designed for grades 5-8.

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This is a lesson plan that centers on Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. It includes a warm-up prompt, a pre-quiz, a current events section, and multimedia resources to prompt discussion. Can be used for a Civics class, AP Government, U.S. History, or can be easily adapted to another class during Pride Month.
It is designed for grades 9-12.

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This lesson plan is made for grades k-5. This lesson plan is easy to understand for youth by using the example of a crayon. This lesson is very useful for helping youth to understand complex natures such as race and the LGBTQ community.

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For students 9-12 grades

This Kahoot! quiz is about the do's and don't's relating to LGBTQ students. It is designed to bring awareness to the LGBTQ community and to educate others about how they should react if one of their classmates comes out.

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For teachers and students 9-12th grade

This is a Ted Talk, by Phillip Picardi, talking about his struggles of being gay in his childhood, but using this to make his success as an editor-in-chief for a famous fashion magazine. He talks about embracing what makes you different instead of pushing it away.

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This video is titled LGBTQ inclusion. This video is full of tips for elementary school teachers regarding LGBTQ students. I think this is very useful for those teaching younger populations because they may not have come to terms with their feelings of gender and/or sexuality yet. This video helps a lot with understanding this from a teachers perspective.

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For teachers

This is a 12-min youtube video of LGBTQ college students talking about what they want their teachers to know and the questions teachers should ask their students that are identifying as LGBTQ+.

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This book is the same storyline as the common Young Adult film, "Love, Simon". This is a great book for high school age students to read to help them better understand what the life of someone who is gay is like. Grades 9-12.

Bibliography:
Albertalli, B. (2015). Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Harper Collins.

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Now William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford!
"A remarkable gift of a novel."-Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle

"I am so in love with this book."-Nina LaCour, author of Hold Still

"Feels timelessly, effortlessly now."-Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever

"The best kind of love story."-Alex Sanchez, Lambda Award-winning author of Rainbow Boys and Boyfriends with Girlfriends
Plus don't miss Yes No Maybe So, Becky Albertalli's and Aisha Saeed's heartwarming and hilarious new novel, coming in 2020! "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out-without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story-wrapped in a geek romance-is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.

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9780062348685: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - AbeBooks - Albertalli, Becky: 006234868X

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Now William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford!

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Secondary
This book is something that I think would help support the LGBTQ community along with just being compassionate to students in general because you don't know what they're going through. This book is full of fill in the blanks filled out by students of things they wish their teacher knew about them. This would help teachers see life from their students' perspective.

Bibliography:
Schwartz, K. (2016). I wish my teacher knew: How one question can change everything for our kids. Boston, MA: Da Capo Lifelong Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

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i wish my teacher knew: how one question can change everything for our kids

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teacher; teaching; kids; education; students; classroom; iwishmyteacherknew; school

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I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids

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I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids [Schwartz, Kyle] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids

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This lesson plan is made for grades 11-12 and talks about the advocation for civil rights of the LGBTQ+ population. This history lesson is something so important to consider when discussing LGBTQ and the discrimination and hardships that they have faced.