Perhaps a perceptive student will note that the first five words are babyish, while the last two are related to animals. Ask students which term has a positive connotation, and which a negative one. Ask students to name gender specific nouns relating to animals, family, and finally, occupations. Ask students to justify placement of such words as nurse, doctor, police officer, soldier, etc. Discuss the basic premise of political correctness, that every group wants to be respected, and that language can be used to promote or inhibit respect.
Students propose strategies to avoid using and preventing sexist language.
Students may free write about experiences with sexist language, either as the recipient or the user. This writing may help to synthesize thoughts on the subject and act as a catalyst for suggestions. If made public, these narratives would demonstrate how it feels to hear these words. Students may work in small teams to write up an anti-sexist manifesto , to present to the class for discussion and ratification. This document would call for a code of language etiquette in the classroom.