The overall objective of this lesson is to explain the effects of stereotyping and
gender bias on self-esteem, relationships, and behavioral expectations for both girls and
boys. Although the initial focus is on the stereotypes of the princess, the teacher should
also extend the lesson to the stereotyping of princes. Self-esteem, relationships, and
behaviors of both genders are impacted by these types of stories.
STANDARD: All students will be able to explain the effects of gender
bias, stereotyping and discrimination on access, learning, self-esteem, relationships and
behavior.
GRADE LEVEL: 2 -5, Language Arts, Guidance
OBJECTIVE(S): Students will be able to:
- Detect examples of gender bias and stereotyping in traditional fairy tales.
- Express how such stories affect girls and boys.
- Rewrite a fairy tale so as to eliminate gender bias.
TIME: One class period
MATERIALS: Suggested books:
The Paper Bag Princess - Robert N. Munsch
Princess Furball - Charlotte Huch
Princess Smartypants - Babette Cole
PROCEDURES:
- Ask the students to tell about fairy tales that they know in which there is a princess.
As they retell the story, keep asking them what the princess is doing in the story.
Frequently, the answer is that she does not do very much. Usually, a prince is trying to
win her hand in marriage by pleasing her father. The princess has little say in her own
future.
- Read one of the suggested books, or any fairy tale, in which the female leads a more
active, self-determining role. Have the students contrast this story with the traditional
fairy tales they discussed earlier.
- Define words such as gender bias and stereotyping (see Equity Terms handout) and relate
them to the fairy tales they have discussed.
- Discuss how the traditional fairy tales affect the girls and boys who hear them. How
will they see their future roles in life? How will they treat one another?
- Each child is asked to rewrite a favorite fairy tale to be more gender fair. The
students may be assessed on their understanding of how the princess may be made more
active and self-determining.
