Lesson 2: Fitting into Boxes

SUBJECT

TEACHER

GRADE

DATE

English Language Arts

Mr. Pagnotta

09, 32 pupils, 75mins

OVERVIEW
This lesson focuses on the principle and exposing the ridiculousness of gender based advertising and
stereotypes. Understanding the patriarchal influence on gender and how that affects identity for both
girls and boys.

Teacher Guide

Student Guide

Objectives

Stimulate questioning as to why

gender roles are so strongly held
onto by society. Informing them as
to why things are the way they are
and the negate outcomes as a result
of that.

Interact with ideas on what society

says about men and women, and
reflecting on ones personal views
and gender identity as such.

Competencie
s

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12.

C1. Discussions. C2. Watching

videos.
C3. Advertisement, exit card and
Journal.

Activity

Draw two boxes on the board labelled

one Boy and the other Girl.
Focusing mostly on non-verbal cues
have students go up and fill in the
boxes with what words they believe
describes the gender. Leave it on the
board and begin next activity. ( 5
minutes)
Have the students separate by gender
and get into groups of 4 or five. Give
each group a product that they need to
advertise to the opposite side of the
class. (10 minutes)

Think about what boy and girl

mean. If willing go up and write a
word or two about it.
Get into groups and brainstorm on
funny ways to advertise these
gendered products to the opposite
sex.
Think of the name of the product, a
tag line and slogan, and its utility.
Advertise your product then criticize
what the opposite gender thinks you
should like.

Advertising, Exit card: write which

traits you identify with on the board
down on scratch paper.
Discussion, and Videos (35 minutes)

Participate in class discussion, see if

you fit in the box by writing down
traits from both boxes that describe
you (exit card).

Journal entry: What does being a (man

or woman) mean to you? Why? Who
are your role models? Did you ever
force yourself to fit into a gender box,

Watch the videos, reflect on them

and think of them when writing your
journal.

Teacher Guide

Student Guide

why or why not? Minimum 250 words.

One entry in cumulative journal book.
(rest of class)

House
Keeping

Pick up students Where Im from

poems. Usual attendance, planning
for disturbance and tangential
ramblings.
(10 minutes)

Hand in homework, pay attention

and participate in classroom
activities.

Materials: Product handouts, Internet connection: YouTube and Projector. Videos: Ellens Bic Pens for women, Fitting in Cardboard,
TAASA - Break The Box, and "Girl Or Boy" By: Dani Shay, The Representation Project: Rewrite the Story. All videos total 10
minutes. Journal copybooks. Examples of student work and prompts, after the lesson. Student materials.