Discuss how attitudes about gender develop and whether or not all stereotypes are detrimental or inaccurate. Students should list anything that comes to mind when characterizing one gender or the other. Students can then offer the items from their lists to be put on the board. Divide students into small groups of four. Then, tell students that their group is actually a new software company for kids, and their charge is to develop a stereotype-free computer game that will be marketed to both boys and girls.
Students can share their answers in a future class.
Students will be evaluated based on stereotype lists, participation in class discussion, participation in and documentation of the creation of a game prototype, and written reflection piece on the game created by the group. Students can create magazine advertisements or videotape commercials to market their games. Students can create a Monopoly-type board game for younger students to learn about gender stereotypes. Students can write a short story or skit about what life would be like in a gender stereotype- free world. Students can also draw out these life-sized dolls on a long strip of butcher paper.