Big Idea Project: Gender Equality by Olivia Bauer

Malala: My story of Standing up for Girls Rights by Malala Yousafzai

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 18:37:46 UTC

Malala: My story of Standing up for Girls Rights, is the focus book for this project. It is appropriate for grades k-6 as a read aloud and for grades 3-6 as an independent reading assignment. I chose this book as it is an excellent example of the gender inequality that is still very real in this world.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Malala-Story-Standing-Girls-Rights/dp/0316527157

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 18:43:04 UTC

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is the second book from the “Text List for P-12 ELA”. The Lightning Thief is on the 6th grade list. I think this book and the rest of the series showcases what gender equality can look like. All of the campers, regardless of age and gender are treated and trained the same, they all learn different skills depending on their godly parents however they are all taught how to defend themselves.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/0786838655

Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Freedom and Equality by Suzanne Buckingham Slade

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 18:49:18 UTC

Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Freedom and Equality is the first book from the “Text List for P-12 ELA”. This book is from the second grade list. The plot of this book is following Susan B. Anthony's life and work as a suffragist and a fighter for women's equality.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-B-Anthony-Equalilty-Biographies/dp/1404831045

Ballerino Nate by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:22:01 UTC

Ballerino Nate is a picture book about a little boy who loves to dance. Throughout the story his older brother teases him and tells him that boys don't dance and generally makes him feel bad about liking to dance. Nate's parents tell him that boys can dance, and enroll him in ballet class, and take him to see a professional ballet, with both male and female dancers. Nate learns that it is okay for him to like dancing and he hopes to become a male ballerina, a ballerino some day. This book again reinforces the idea that there are no boy interests or girl interests, just interests for everyone.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ballerino-Nate-Kimberly-Brubaker-Bradley/dp/0803729545

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:22:18 UTC

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is about a little boy named Morris who loves wearing a tangerine colored dress during school. Morris likes the color of the dress and its flowy feeling. But all of the other children in his class think he is strange for wearing a dress and won't play with him. Eventually Morris makes a painting showing him as astronaut wearing his tangerine dress, when his classmates see that painting they think it is cool and want to learn how he imagines the way he does.

This book does a great job showing children that you can wear dresses or pants and still play together no matter what your gender is. There is no reason why a boy can't wear a skirt if he wants too, and that's what this book is showing.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Morris-Micklewhite-Tangerine-Christine-Baldacchino/dp/1554983479

She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History by Chelsea Clinton

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:22:41 UTC

She Persisted Around the World is a collective biography about 13 different women from around the world. Focusing specifically on women who have changed history. Including suffragettes, scientists, civil rights activists, athletes, and more, all of the women in this book were told they could not do things, which made them prove that they could in fact do those things and more.

This book is another tool for teaching boys and girls alike that they are all capable of doing the things that they want to do regardless of their genders.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/She-Persisted-Around-World-Changed/dp/0525516999

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: RBG vs Inequality by Jonah Winter

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:22:55 UTC

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: RBG vs Inequality is a non-fiction picture book about the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her lifelong fight against inequality. Throughout the picture book there are numerous examples of inequality and discrimination based solely on gender. From not being allowed in the periodical room of a college library, to being demoted and paid less at her job just because she was pregnant, to having to fight to get a job as a lawyer because she was a married mother of two. All of these experiences and more are what led RBG to become the equal rights fighter that she was.

This is another book that can teach children about what discrimination can look like, and how to fight it.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-R-B-G-Inequality/dp/1419725599

William’s Doll by Charlotte Zolotow

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:23:13 UTC

William''s Doll is an older children's book that was originally published in 1972, but it still teaches an important lesson to both children and parents. The main character William desperately wants a doll, but William's father thinks that doll's are for girls not boys. So he buys William a basketball and hoop instead. William learns to play basketball and likes it, but he still wants a doll. Finally when is grandmother comes to visit, she buys him a doll. When her son, William's father questions this, her response is that having a doll will prepare William to be a father some day. This is something that we still see today, girls are given dolls and boys are given sports equipment. This book teaches that both boys and girls can play with dolls, as both boys and girls have equal chances of becoming parents one day. This also teaches boys that they can help raise their children as much as girls.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Williams-Doll-Charlotte-Zolotow/dp/0064430677

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:23:35 UTC

Chasing Secrets is a middle grade novel about a 13 year old girl Lizzie Kennedy, the daughter of a doctor. Set in 1900 San Francisco, Lizzie spends her days at a girls finishing school, but her real passion is science. She loves to go on house calls with her father. With part of the city under a mysterious quarantine, and rumors of a plague, Lizzie and her friend Noah try to find out what is going on.

This novel teaches that regardless of what people think girls or boys can and should do, they can do much more than we give them credit for. Lizzie uses her knowledge of medicine and science to discover what is happening in her city proving that science is for girls too.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Secrets-Gennifer-Choldenko/dp/0385742533

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:24:06 UTC

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is the story of an 11 year old girl interested in science and nature. Living in the early 1900s these are not topics that girls are encouraged to pursue. However, Calpurnia's grandfather just sees a child interested in science and nature like he is and teaches her all he knows.

In this story readers can see how boys and girls were treated differently in this era, specifically that boys often had less restrictions and more opportunities than girls. Which is the case for the most part in this story except for the relationship between Calpurnia and her grandfather.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Calpurnia-Tate-Jacqueline-Kelly/dp/031265930X

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Rey Terciero

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:24:20 UTC

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amysu is a graphic novel adaptation of the classic novel Little Women. About a family of four sisters and their misadventures. Each of the four girls faces there own struggles including poverty, questioning their sexuality, racial discrimination, and severe illness. Each girl shows strength, determination, and the ability to do anything they put their minds to.

This novel shows that young women are capable of doing anything they put their minds to regardless of age, ethnicity, or sexuality.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Meg-Jo-Beth-Amy-Retelling/dp/0316522864

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:24:25 UTC

Wolf Hollow is about an 11 almost 12 year old girl who is growing up in rural Pennsylvania during WWII. Annabelle is just a normal girl who lives on her family farm, and goes to school with her brothers. She lives a pretty normal life despite the war. This all changes when a new girl moves in and starts going to Annabelles school.

While this novel is not explicitly about gender equality it has both examples of gender equality and gender inequality. There are tasks that only Annabelle is expected to do because she is the girl and there are tasks that only her brothers are expected to do because they are the boys. However, there are also times when Annabelle does things that would normally be considered boy tasks, and there are times when her brothers do tasks that are normally considered girl tasks.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Hollow-Lauren-Wolk/dp/1101994827

Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different: True Tales of Amazing Boys who Changed the World Without Killing Dragons by Ben Brooks

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:26:11 UTC

Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different is a collective biography about boys and men throughout the world and throughout time. Specifically boys and men who don't fit the typical stereotype of what boys and men are "supposed" to be like. Boys as well as girls need to be able to see that it is okay to be interested in anything. We as a society need to model for our children that there is no such thing as boy and girl interests. This book is a great starting point.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Boys-Who-Dare-Different/dp/0762465921

Women in sports: 50 Fearless Athletes who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky

obauer1 — 2020-11-12 19:27:02 UTC

Women in Sports is a collective biography of of female athletes from around the world and from many different time periods. The stories in this book talk about women who faced discrimination and underestimation just because people thought that women couldn't or shouldn't play sports. This book is another great tool for teaching children and their parents that women and girls can do anything that boys and men can do.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Sports-Fearless-Athletes-Science/dp/1607749785

Shark Lady: the True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 14:07:30 UTC

Shark Lady is a picture book biography of Eugenie Clark a scientist who spent her entire career studying sharks. Born in 1922 Eugenie spent much of her life fighting to prove that women could be scientists. During a time when women were told all they could do was become wives and mother Eugenie had to fight an uphill battle to become the scientist she always dreamed of being.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Lady-Eugenie-Fearless-Scientist/dp/1492642045

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 14:09:27 UTC

The Witch Boy is a graphic novel about a family of witches and shapeshifters. In this family women and girls are always witches, and the boys and men are always shapeshifters. This story is about a boy who is more interested in being a witch than in being a shapeshifter. Aster keeps trying to learn witchcraft and keeps being told he can't because he is a boy. As the story progresses Aster learns that he can learn to be a witch, that his grand-uncle was also capable of witchcraft, and that his grandmother is capable of shapeshifting, showing Aster and the rest of his family members that their strict gender roles are not as strict as they once thought.

This book shows how following strict gender roles can be detrimental to both men and women. Forcing someone to be something they are not, can cause them to turn in on themselves and become bitter or worse.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Boy-Molly-Knox-Ostertag/dp/133808951X

Activities

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 15:04:40 UTC

Activity 1: Create a drawing (pk-1st), poster (2nd-3rd), presentation (4th-5th), or book bento box (6th), about one of the books that we’ve read this unit explaining how it shows gender equality or inequality.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this activity students will be able to:

To choose and explain one book about about gender equality or inequality by creating a drawing, poster, presentation, or book bento about one of the books (Cognitive learning domain)
Identify through their project whether the focus book they chose demonstrates gender equality or gender inequality. (Affective learning domain)
Construct a drawing, poster, presentation, or book bento about the book of their choice from the current unit (Psychomotor learning domain)

Activity 2:

Write a postcard (pk-1), card (2-3), or letter (4-6) to Malala Yousafzai, tell her about our gender equality unit, and what you learned from reading her book.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this activity students will be able to:

Demonstrate letter writing skills by writing a letter to Malala Yousafzai. (Psychomotor learning domain)
Explain what they have learned about gender equality in the form of a postcard, card, or letter. (Affective learning domain)
Plan their postcard, card, or letter using a graphic organizer (Cognitive learning domain)

Non-fiction

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 15:27:34 UTC

Picture Books

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 15:27:42 UTC

Middle Grade Books

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 15:27:49 UTC

Text List for p-12 ELA Books

obauer1 — 2020-11-19 15:37:05 UTC

Made By Raffi by Craig Pomranz

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 14:39:05 UTC

Made by Raffi is a picture book about a young boy who likes being quiet and doesn't tend to like rough housing like his classmates. So one day during recess a teacher shows him how to knit and he falls in love with this new hobby. Raffi begins knitting whenever he can, he knits on the bus and at school. The boys and girls at school think it is strange that Raffi likes knitting, until he makes a beautiful cape for a school play, then everyone see's his interest in design as a good thing, telling him that he'll be the next great fashion designer some day.

This book can be used to show children that anyone can like knitting and sewing, and other stereotypically feminine crafts.

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Made-Raffi-Craig-Pomranz/dp/1847805965/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/138-6791840-5928531?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1847805965&pd_rd_r=b167729b-f717-4495-848d-42c3f0bf5eb2&pd_rd_w=f1nB8&pd_rd_wg=fOAjX&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=3SKTEGW3J50FSF895QNT&psc=1&refRID=3SKTEGW3J50FSF895QNT42c3f0bf5eb2&pd_rd_w=f1nB8&pd_rd_wg=fOAjX&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=3SKTEGW3J50FSF895QNT&psc=1&refRID=3SKTEGW3J50FSF895QNT

Franny's Father is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 14:39:30 UTC

Franny's Father is a Feminist is a picture book that explains feminism to children. Specifically that both men and women can be feminists. The story talks about how Franny's father became a feminist, and how his being a feminst affects how he is raising his duaghter.

This book is an excellent tool to explain feminism to children, it also teaches that boys and girls can do the same things. In the story Franny plays in the mud and other stereotypical boy things, but she also does ballet and plays dress up and other stereotypical girl things. Which shows that all of the things Franny does can be done by both boys and girls, and that their are no boy interests or girl interests.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Frannys-Father-Feminist-Rhonda-Leet/dp/1576878732

Allie's Basketball Dream by Barbara Barber

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 14:39:49 UTC

Allie's Basketball Dream is a picture book about a girl named Allie who dreams of playing basketball professionally. One day her father brings her a brand new basketball as a gift, taking her to the park to practice. At the park Allie faces a lot of teasing. Boys and girls alike tell her that basketball is for boys and that girls can't play basketball. At first this makes Allie think that she should't want to play basketball until she remembers how she felt watching her first basketball game. So Allie starts shooting baskets on her own and when the other children see her playing they realize that she is just as capable of playing basketball as the boys are.

Again this is a book that teaches children that both boys and girls are equally capable of doing anything they want to.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Allies-Basketball-Revised-Barbara-Barber/dp/1880000725

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 14:40:35 UTC

Drama is a graphic novel about a middle school drama club production. The story follows the cast and crew throughout the production of the play. Focusing on Callie the main character, the story follows her adventures with several of her friends.

This book is another more subtle example of gender equality and gender inequality. Throughout the story Callie the main character is building sets and using power tools which is often considered a masculine activity. Then there are also some examples of boys doing tasks that are often thought of as feminine. Both of which show students that both boys and girls can do tasks regardless of their gender.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Raina-Telgemeier/dp/0545326990

Essential Questions

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 14:47:53 UTC

Are boys and girls socialized the same?
How can gender equality benefit both boys and girls?
Is there such a thing as boy interests and girl interests?

References:

obauer1 — 2020-11-20 16:39:17 UTC

Baldacchino, C., & Malenfant, I. (2014). Morris Micklewhite and the tangerine dress. Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press.

Barber, B. E., & Ligasan, D. (2010). Allie’s basketball dream. Lee & Low Books.

Bradley, K. B., & Alley, R. W. (2006). Ballerino Nate. Dial Books for Young Readers.

Brooks, B., & Winter, Q. (2018). Stories for boys who dare to be different: True tales of amazing boys who changed the world without killing dragons. RP| Kids.

Choldenko, G. (2015). Chasing secrets. Wendy Lamb Books.

Clinton, C., & Boiger, A. (2018). She persisted around the world: 13 women who changed history. Philomel Books.

Ignotofsky, R. (2017). Women in sports: 50 fearless athletes who played to win. Ten Speed Press.

Keating, J., & Miguens, M. A. (2017). Shark lady: The true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean’s most fearless scientist. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

Kelly, J. (2009). The evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Henry Holt.

Leet, R., & Walker, M. (2018). Franny’s father is a feminist. POW!

Ostertag, M. (2017). The witch boy. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.

Pomranz, C., & Chamberlain, M. (2015). Made by Raffi.

Riordan, R. (2006). The lightning thief. Disney Hyperion Books.

Slade, S., & Orback, C. (2007). Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for freedom and equality. Picture Window Books.

Telgemeier, R. (2012). Drama. Graphix.

Terciero, R., Indigo, B., & Alcott, L. M. (2019). Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A graphic novel. Little, Brown and Company.

Winter, J., & Innerst, S. (2017). Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The case of R. B. G. vs. Inequality. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Wolk, L. (2016). Wolf hollow. Dutton Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Yousafzai, M., McCormick, P. (2018). Malala: My story of standing up for girls’ rights. Little, Brown and Company.

Zolotow, C., & Du Bois, W. P. (Eds.). (1972). William’s doll. HarperCollins.

Image Citations:

obauer1 — 2020-11-22 02:12:11 UTC

Allie’s basketball dream. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/1471425-allie-s-basketball-dream

Ballerino nate. (2006). https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/childrens-literature/ballerino-nate

Chasing secrets. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23615684-chasing-secrets

Drama by raina telgemeier | scholastic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from http://www.scholastic.com/content/teachers/en/books/drama-by-raina-telgemeier/

Evolution of calpurnia tate, the—Booksource. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.booksource.com/Products/Evolution-Of-Calpurnia-Tate--The__9780312659301.aspx

Franny’s Father is a Feminist. (2018). https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Frannys-Father-is-a-Feminist/Rhonda-Leet/9781576878736

Made by raffi. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/28350914-made-by-raffi

Meg, jo, beth, and amy: A graphic novel : a modern retelling of little women(Paperback). (n.d.). Walmart.Com. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from /ip/Meg-Jo-Beth-and-Amy-A-Graphic-Novel-A-Modern-Retelling-of-Little-Women-Paperback-9780316522885/499063472

Noble, B. &. (n.d.-a). Malala: My story of standing up for girls’ rights|paperback. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/malala-malala-yousafzai/1129206762

Noble, B. &. (n.d.-b). Women in sports: 50 fearless athletes who played to win|hardcover. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/women-in-sports-rachel-ignotofsky/1124986948

Ruth bader ginsburg: The case of r. B. G. Vs. Inequality—Booksource. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.booksource.com/Products/Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg--The-Case-Of-RBG-Vs-Inequality__9781419725593.aspx

Shark lady. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/52849700-shark-lady-the-true-story-of-how-eugenie-clark-became-the-ocean-s-most

She persisted around the world by chelsea clinton: 9780525516996 | penguinrandomhouse. Com: books. (n.d.). PenguinRandomhouse.Com. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/573478/she-persisted-around-the-world-by-chelsea-clinton-illustrated-by-alexandra-boiger/

Stories for boys who dare to be different. (n.d.). BIG W. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.bigw.com.au/product/stories-for-boys-who-dare-to-be-different/p/681953/

Susan b. Anthony. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/3149304-susan-b-anthony-fighter-for-freedom-and-equality-biographies-biogra

The bookshelf: ‘Morris micklewhite and the tangerine dress.’ (2015, March 13). Chico Enterprise-Record. https://www.chicoer.com/lifestyle/20150313/the-bookshelf-morris-micklewhite-and-the-tangerine-dress

The lightning thief (Percy jackson and the olympians) (Paperback)by rick riordan. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.target.com/p/the-lightning-thief-percy-jackson-and-the-olympians-paperback-by-rick-riordan/-/A-11327183

The witch boy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/the-witch-boy-9781338089516.html

William’s doll | kirkus reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/charlotte-zolotow/williams-doll/

Wolf hollow by lauren wolk: 9781101994849 | penguinrandomhouse. Com: books. (n.d.). PenguinRandomhouse.Com. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/531665/wolf-hollow-by-lauren-wolk/