Teaching Tool - Gender and Sexual Diversity (Grade 8)

These resources teach students about gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. They also teach about the factors that contribute to developing a positive self-concept.

Learning goals

I will gain an understanding of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation
I will learn about factors that can help people of all identities and orientations develop a positive self-concept

Core knowledge content

Core knowledge content provides the teacher with the background information needed to prepare and teach this health class.

Gender and sexual diversity core knowledge content

Ontario curriculum expectations

Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education (2019)

D1.5 demonstrate an understanding of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation and identify factors that can help individuals of all identities and orientations develop a positive self-concept. This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.2 Coping and 1.5 Self

Learning activities

Gender and sexual diversity presentation

This presentation teaches students about gender and sexual diversity. It focuses on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. It also goes over the factors that contribute to developing a positive self-concept.

Gender and sexual diversity PowerPoint presentation

Question box

This activity gives students the opportunity to ask questions anonymously. The questions might be about things that they feel are awkward, embarrassing or uncomfortable to ask in front of their classmates.

Question box instructions

Supplementary resources

Explore your privilege (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association): This activity is an opportunity to explore privilege and the advantages it gives to some but not to all. Teachers can use this and adapt it based on gender and sexual diversity to educate students about the many privileges people are born with or grow up with.
Exposing gender stereotypes (Media Smarts): This is the first of three lessons that address gender stereotypes. In the lesson, students will take a look at their own assumptions about what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman. Students will see how believing in stereotypes can lead to violence towards oneself and others.
Gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association): This lesson will help students learn to use coping and self-awareness skills to understand gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Students will learn to identify factors that can help people of all identities and orientations develop a positive self-concept.
Gender and sexuality equity (Physical and Health Education Canada): Physical and Health Education Canada worked with experts and developed resources to support school communities in creating welcoming spaces for all students. There are guidebooks, posters and other free downloadable resources that can help support a more inclusive classroom.
Grade 7 lesson plans (Teaching Sexual Health): This lesson identifies the effects of social influences on sexuality, gender roles and equality. Students will analyze the message and approaches the media uses to promote certain body images and lifestyle choices. Refer to lesson 3: Gender, body image and social influences.
Learning gender stereotypes (Media Smarts): This is the second of three lessons that address gender stereotypes. The lesson starts with a review of stereotypes associated with men and women and their possible sources, including the role of the media. Students deconstruct a series of advertisements based on gender representation and answer questions about stereotyping from articles they have read.
Pride education resources (Pride Education Network): This website includes resources that help educators create and support a gay / straight alliance, deal with name-calling and what educators need to know about the gender spectrum.
The impact of gender stereotypes (Media Smarts): This is the third of three lessons that address gender stereotypes. The lesson begins with a discussion about how self-violence may be promoted by the fashion industry when men and women put their health at risk to attain impossible standards. Students also explore how stereotypes about masculinity can fuel male violence.
Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (Talking About Sexuality in Canadian Communities): This resource helps educators teach about how a part of growing up is learning about yourself, what you want in life and who you want to have relationships with. This includes learning about your identity, and part of your identity is about how you understand your sex and gender.
Who are you? The kid's guide to gender identity (WordPress): This resource has a simple lesson plan about gender identity. It includes a list of recommendations for other books and activities that can lay the foundation or be used along with the book "Who Are You?".