Social Justice for Little Learners

Grade Level: Kindergarten

Topic: Gender Stereotypes/Expectations

Book Title: “No Difference Between Us”

Author: Jayneen Sanders

Link to Purchase: https://a.co/d/gv5ty5c

Link for Online Read-Aloud : https://youtu.be/vXnzgvUIYZE?si=5F0ygNoXwZiOfpa4

Discussion Prompts/Questions:

• Unfortunately, the online read-aloud doesn’t include the discussion questions on each page. There are also fantastic extended discussion guides in the back of the book, on pages 30-31.
  • Page 5 – “What do you like to have for breakfast?”
  • Page 7 – “What kind of hair do you have?”
  • Page 9 – “What kind of things do you like to do?”
  • Page 13 – “What sports or outdoor activities do you like to do?”
  • Page 15 – “What kind of things do you like to play when you stay inside?”
  • Page 17 – “What do you think you might like to be when you grow up?”
  • Page 19 – “What might your family be like when you are grown up?”
  • Page 21 – “How are you different in tiny little ways from your sister or brother or friend? How are you exactly the same?”
  • Page 25 – “When do you feel happy? When do you feel scared? When do you feel sad? When do you feel angry? When do you feel worried? Who makes you feel loved?”
  • Page 27 – “What choices do you make?”

Follow-Up Activity:

• Put out a variety of different play options, including those typically “gendered”, and encourage children to play with something new. This is also a good time to “mix-up” where things are located and how they are played with…for example, if doll house toys and dinosaurs are located on opposite sides of the room, place them closer together.
• Model the fact that it’s ok for children to play with, and enjoy, a variety of different toys. One way that you can do this is by using sparkly markers/paints to draw trucks, use a princess toy to drive a tractor, dress as Superman to take care of doll babies, etc.

BC Core Competency Connections:

Personal and Social

• Personal Awareness & Responsibility
  • I can show a sense of accomplishment and joy, and express some wants, needs, and preferences. I can sometimes recognize my emotions.
• Social Awareness and Responsibility
  • I can help and be kind.
  • I am aware that other people can be different from me.
  • In familiar settings, I can interact with others and my surroundings respectfully.

Thinking

• Creative Thinking
  • I get ideas when I play.
• Critical Thinking
  • I can explore materials and actions.

Communication

• Communicating
  • In a safe and supported environment, I respond meaningfully to communication from peers and adults.
• Collaborating
  • In familiar situations, I can participate with others.

BC Curricular Connections:

• Understand (Big Ideas):
  • Stories and other texts help us learn about ourselves and our families. (ELA K)
  • Everyone has a unique story to share. (ELA K)
  • Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world. (ELA K)
  • Our communities are diverse and made of individuals who have a lot in common. (SS K)
  • Confidence develops through the process of self-discovery. (Career Education K)
  • Learning about ourselves and others helps us develop a positive attitude and caring behaviours, which helps us build healthy relationships. (Physical and Health Education K)
• Know (Content):
  • Ways in which individuals and families differ and are the same. (SS K)
  • Cultural and social awareness, achieved by exploring self-identity, acknowledging cultural differences, honouring indigenous traditions. (Career Education K)
  • Caring behaviours in groups and families. (Physical and Health Education K)
• Do (Curricular Competency):
  • Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing)
    • Engage actively as listeners, viewers, and readers, as appropriate, to develop understanding of self, identity, and community. (ELA K)
    • Recognize the importance of story in personal, family, and community identity. (ELA K)
  • Create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing)
    • Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding. (ELA K)
    • Use language to identify, create, and share ideas, feelings, opinions, and preferences. (ELA K)
  • Acknowledge different perspectives on people, places, issues, or events in their lives. (SS K)
  • Identify fair and unfair aspects of events, decisions, or actions in their lives and consider appropriate courses of action. (SS K)
  • Share ideas, information, personal feelings, and knowledge with others. (Career Education K)
  • Develop and demonstrate respectful behaviour when participating in activities with others. (Physical and Health Education K)

FPPL Link:

• Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
• Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
• Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
• Learning requires exploration of one’s identity.

BC ELF Link:

• Children are strong, capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.
• Early years spaces are inclusive.
• Play is integral to well-being and learning.
• Relationships are the context for well-being and learning.
• Learning is holistic.

TFT Through-line Link:

• Justice Seeking
• Community Building