ERIC Number: ED470649
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Guidelines for a Gender-Balanced Curriculum in English Language Arts, Pre-K to Grade 6. NCTE Positions and Guidelines.
National Council of Teachers of English. Women in Literature and Life Assembly.
In children's literature not many characters are shown as multidimensional human beings with strengths as well as weaknesses. Instead, both males and females display behavior and traits which reflect stereotypical roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Although there may be segments of society which are redefining gender roles, the female and male characters children read about are often locked into traditional jobs and behaviors. Teachers must search for books which will initiate conversations and questions about gender roles and the perceptions of appropriate behavior and activities. Through these conversations and questions, teachers and other adults can be instrumental in helping the students reflect on gender expectations, reflection that can lead to appreciation and implementation of gender fairness and equality. This guide offers a booklist, ideas, and a list of teacher resources to provide a starting place for these discussions. The guide lists 96 picture storybooks, 138 novels, 40 informational books, 14 poetry books, and 6 selected teacher resources for a beginning bibliography. It also offers 10 ideas for building a more balanced language arts curriculum for the classroom. (NKA)
Descriptors: Bibliographies, Childrens Literature, Classroom Techniques, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Gender Issues, Guidelines, Language Arts, Novels, Picture Books, Poetry, Reader Response, Sex Fairness
National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Tel: 800-369-6283 (Toll Free). For full text: http://www.ncte.org.
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom; Reference Materials - Bibliographies
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Council of Teachers of English. Women in Literature and Life Assembly.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A