Class+Activity

Sara Sharkey Career Dev. __Gender Stereotype, Career Choice Activity__
 * Intended Audience:** Elementary School children (Grade 5).


 * Topic:** Accordingto the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Career Education and Work (13.1.5/B,C,E, F), by the end of a child’s fifth year in school, he/she should be able to describe the influence of personal interest and other factors on career choices, as well as understanding another’s rationale for making said choice. The topic of this activity addresses career choice and, more specifically, how stereotyping can influence it.


 * Goal**: The goals of this activity are to expose children to choices and allow them to reflect on them. Children will understand the influence of stereotyping on their job choices, as well as other’s career choices. This particular activity will also allow students to move around and be active in a typically structured classroom.

- Choices will be stereotypical jobs for either men and women
 * Materials Needed:**
 * Tape ( other means of dividing classroom)
 * List of choices, in pairs (ranging from easy/less threatening to more difficult/personal)
 * Open ended questions for children to reflect on
 * Short debrief on stereotypes


 * Assessment**: Upon returning to their seats, children will be asked questions regarding the activity and the choices they and their classmates have made ( 13.1.5/ B,C, E, F). A short lecture on stereotyping and its influence on career choice, will be given.( 13.1.5/E, F).

__**Step by Step Lesson Plan**__

 * ( For the sake of this presentation and mock career day, we will ask and remind graduate students to attempt to behave and/or think as a 5th grade elementary student)**
 * **Step 1** || As school counselor or teacher, introduce yourself to children ( visiting 3rd and 5th grade classrooms to check in before career day and to conduct an activity) Start of by explaining to them that you would like to get to know them better and are interested in their preferences on a few topics. ||
 * **Step 2** || Make space in room. If possible, move desks to sides of room. Label one side as ‘A’ and the other side as ‘B’. ||
 * **Step 3** || Ask students to stand and make their way to center of room. ||
 * **Step 4** || Explain to students that you will call out pairs of different things. If they agree with the first, they will move to side “A” of the room. If they agree with the second, they will move to side ‘B’ of the room. ||
 * **Step 5** || Begin activity by giving easier, less threatening choices (ex. Do you like hamburgers or do you like hotdogs). Then give more personal choices (ex. Music preferences, hobbies, activities). Lastly, begin giving career choices (ex. Would you rather be a pilot or would you like to be a flight attendant) ||
 * **Step 6** || After giving them their final career choice, ask students to return to their desks. ||
 * **Step 7** || Begin asking student questions regarding activity. (ex. How did you feel about making these choices? Was it easier in beginning or at the end?) ||
 * **Step 8** || Introduce the topic of stereotypes (specifically gender stereotypes) and give a child’s definition. Explain how this can affect career choice. ||
 * **Step 8** || Introduce the topic of stereotypes (specifically gender stereotypes) and give a child’s definition. Explain how this can affect career choice. ||



Scholastic Childrens Dictionary defines stereotypes this way:
 * __ Stereotype __**** is ** a very simple picture or opinion of a person, group, or thing based on age, color of skin, and gender (boy/girl)