Above is a placemat from our final PE class. We got together to discuss our final thoughts about the course. During the class we also had the chance to introduce our HOPE resource / cross-curricular lesson plan. My group, S. & I, chose to make an interactive material about gender, identity and sexuality. It could be used either passively (i.e. just putting it in the classroom and letting students explore it for themselves/ask you questions) or actively (i.e. making a lesson revolving around it). Here were our thoughts about it as well as images of it…

Gender & sexuality unicorn

This resource is a reference and teaching tool for explaining the terms around sexuality and gender. Our resource is meant to:pe-hope-resource-2

  • foster understanding of terms and definitions
  • promote conversation around a sometimes difficult topic
  • be inclusive and acknowledge the change to the human rights code of Canada
  • address the BC curriculum for teaching sex education

The aim of this resource is to create an environment that is safe and accepting of difference. Every student should feel represented and this resource will bring knowledge and understanding to the class as a whole. This approach will allow all students to have a mutual understanding that will create a foundation for acceptance and celebration of every individual.

Our resource makes a clear separation between the topics of biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual pe-hope-resource-1 orientation and the effect of societal influence on gendering. By defining and expanding on the appropriate terms for each subject area we are helping to create shared understanding that in turn can normalize marginalized groups and highlight a sense of connection and acceptance.

We have chosen to use a unicorn to display our terms because it connects to the gender unicorn used to educate and facilitate understanding around gender identity issues. The unicorn is not gendered and does not expresses itself as one gender over another. The frame around the unicorn shows how all three internal elements of sex, identity and orientation connect to the outward gender expression. The cloud is the outside influence of society and shows the impact of external pressure to conform.