Free Resources
Expanding the Feminist Circle of Concern: How can we turn conflicts into partnerships? (ICGS 2023)
How has feminism changed from its origins in the eighteenth century to encompass the diversity of feminist movements today? In this session, we use primary sources to trace how a middle-class European movement adapted to meet the needs of black women, working class women, the gay and lesbian community, the intersectional concerns of working women of color, and finally the trans community. By delving into the expansion of feminist solidarities, students come to understand feminism not as a set of principles, but as an ever-evolving mindset we must adapt to meet the emerging concerns of a changing world. Learn more.
The Untold Stories of Three Women in the American Revolution (NCSS 2022)
According to the National Women’s History Museum’s 2017 Report on the status of women, many students graduate high school having heard the names of fewer than 10 women in all four years of history class. Most of them are white. We are changing that. With this lesson, History teachers can examine the different voices of women who lived during the American Revolution. By considering background, class, race, and orientation, it aims to consider individuals marginalized from traditional narratives. Learn more.
Work-Life Balance Skills: Making the personal political without losing your mind
We live in difficult times and anyone who engages in politics or activism can have trouble unplugging from the fight for a better world. In this workshop, students explore ways to maintain integrity, conviction and sanity while standing up to systems of oppression. Not only will they explore concrete practices to use in their own lives, they have a chance to see how some important activists used writing, art, and relationships to maintain their equilibrium. The poetry of Audré Lorde and the autobiographical writing of Gloria Steinem and Azar Nafisi guide our discussion. The arts of Miss CHELOVE spur our imagination. Learn more.
Six themes and questions for infusing anti-bias work into your teaching
While most teachers want to incorporate anti-bias and equity work into their curriculum, they often lack specific steps for designing units and planning lessons. These six theme/question pairings offer a roadmap. Learn more.
Six Online Lessons for integrating intersectional feminism into your teaching
In our 2021 Gender Equity Institute (conducted online because of Covid-19) six of our teachers taught online lessons (videos and interactive webinars) on our critical, anti-bias themes. Learn more.
Three Useful Definitions w/Scenarios: Institutional, Interpersonal & Internalized
Based on student-written scenarios, this is a lesson for teaching about the myriad ways sexism in particular can manifest. While it can be a good stand-alone lesson, teachers are advised to pair it with lessons exploring intersectional oppressions across, for instance, race, sexuality, and gender identity. Learn more.
Teaching Activism: How can I encourage my students to take feminism beyond the classroom?
Designed by Georgina Emerson for the feminism course she used to teach. This is a lesson designed to help students translate learning into thoughtful action. Learn more.
The Platinum Rule: Building Empathy & Curiosity in High School Classrooms
We do a lot of work with personal stories so I wanted to explore ways of being empathetic and understanding across a range of identities and experiences. This is a lesson that urges your students to explore the benefits and limitations of empathy. Learn more.
Weekly Lesson Plans (Coming Fall 2023)
This is a free weekly resource, aimed at teachers of grades 7 to 12 in any subject. As with all of TaW's resources, we have gender in mind. But these lessons touch upon a wealth of intersectional material and you can use them in any class or advisory session.
How are the lessons organized?
Every lesson has the same format. The accompanying 10-minute video takes you through the slideshow.
- Warm up/thought-provoking write prompt (10 min)
- Discussion of cultural context (5 min)
- Close Reading + Discussion Activities (20 min)
- Ideas for further exploration, reflective writing, or casual discussion (15 min)
What materials do you provide?
We provide a lesson slides and 10-minute video that you can either watch before you teach or show directly to your students. To make things as easy as possible, we provide links or downloadable print-outs to any relevant readings or content.
When is the best time to teach these lessons?
We recommend Thursday or Friday: times when students are filled with information and seeking calm, thoughtful ways to engage with big ideas.
What makes these lessons great?
Think of these lessons as the stretching at the end of yoga class. You worked hard this week, now it's time to let the learning soak in with a lesson plan that
- unfurls slowly
- explores rich, nuanced material
- encourages discussion
- invites thoughtful silence
- strives to instill deep, long-term understandings in our students
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