Lesson Plan: Introduction & Objectives

It Takes a Village

(from: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20041208wednesday.html)Examining a Matriarchal Village in Kenya to Analyze the Roles of Women around the World

Author(s)Priscilla Chan, The New York Times Learning NetworkJavaid Khan, The Bank Street College of Education in New York City

Adapted by:
Yanxiang Lin

Grades: 9-12
Subjects: Geography, Global History, Language Arts, Social StudiesOverview of Lesson Plan: In this lesson, students discuss traditional gender roles using word association and the concept of stereotypes and then learn about a village in Kenya run by women. They then research and hold a forum about women's traditional and changing roles in various areas of the world.

Suggested Time Allowance: One week

Objectives:
Students will:

1. Know what the common associations between gender and professions are

2. Know how Kenyan women from the Umoja tribe are challenging gender roles

3. Understand how gender roles are constructed in terms of civics, education, household, workplace, society and religion in different countries around the world.

4. Understand the forces driving the changing roles of women over time.

5. Understand strategies that can be used to strengthen or change the role of women in a particular society and/or the world at large.