Experiences Teaching Modules
Lesson 1: The Girl in the Mirror
Level: Grades 7 to 9
Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours
Author: Matthew Johnson, Media Education Specialist
Media Awareness Network
OVERVIEW:
In this lesson, students look at how gender stereotyping may discourage young women from becoming involved in politics. Students begin by discussing what is meant by the terms "politics" and "political action." With those definitions in mind, they create a "portrait of a politician" based on the traits and characteristics that are needed to be a political agent. Students then deconstruct media products aimed at girls and young women in order to identify the stereotypes contained within and understand how these may raise barriers to being politically active.
Download Lesson 1.pdf
Lesson 2: Suffragettes and Iron Ladies
Level: Grades 10 to 12
Duration: 2 hours (without extension activities)
Author: Matthew Johnson, Media Education Specialist
Media Awareness Network
OVERVIEW:
This lesson considers how the media portrays women in politics. Students explore capsule biographies of female political leaders, from ancient times to current events - crafted from snippets of media coverage such as newspapers, magazines, TV news and encyclopedias - to understand bias in how female politicians are portrayed. Based on this, the class prepares a "portrait of a female politician" - a catalogue of the negative attributes frequently ascribed to women in politics by the media. Looking at this portrait, students are asked to consider which of these would be considered positive or neutral attributes if they were found in a male politician, and discuss how coverage of women in politics could be made less biased. Finally, students are asked to write a biography and position paper for themselves which casts them in a positive and politically active light.
Download Lesson 2.pdf
Experiences
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