New
New
Year 4

Understanding gender stereotypes

I can describe what gender stereotypes are and explain why they are harmful.

New
New
Year 4

Understanding gender stereotypes

I can describe what gender stereotypes are and explain why they are harmful.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Our gender has a significant impact on our life.
  2. Stereotypes are assumptions made about another person, which are often wrong.
  3. Stereotypes do not give a full picture of a person.
  4. Stereotypes can be harmful.
  5. Stereotypes limit what we imagine is possible.

Keywords

  • Assumption - a feeling or belief about something or someone which is not based on evidence

  • Stereotype - an unfair belief about someone based on their characteristics

  • Harmful - something that can hurt you or others or make you feel bad

Common misconception

There are some jobs and careers that only males can do properly.

Males and females can do a range of different jobs and careers.


To help you plan your year 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Understanding gender stereotypes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to consult your RSHE or DSL lead before teaching this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word with its definition.
Correct Answer:respect,treating others kindly by valuing their feelings, ideas and boundaries

treating others kindly by valuing their feelings, ideas and boundaries

Correct Answer:compromise,an agreement where all people are happy

an agreement where all people are happy

Correct Answer:unique,being one of a kind or different from others

being one of a kind or different from others

Q2.
What is a boundary?
giving someone a compliment
when people disagree and give reasons why they think their idea is correct
Correct answer: an imaginary line separating what we will and won't allow
controlling someone else's behaviour when it does not directly affect us
Q3.
Match the statements with whether they are true or false.
Correct Answer:Only some people are unique.,false

false

Correct Answer:Humans are more similar than different.,true

true

Correct Answer:Being different is not a bad thing.,true

true

Correct Answer:It's ok to treat people unfairly.,false

false

Q4.
We can things when people have different ideas to ourselves.
Correct Answer: learn, find out
Q5.
How can we make others feel welcome in class?
Correct answer: accept people for who they are
ignore bullying
Correct answer: support victims of bullying
Correct answer: make friends with different people
only make friends with people similar to us
Q6.
Which word is missing? Bullying can take the form of physical, emotional or unkindness.
silent
family
friendship
Correct answer: discriminatory

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with their definition.
Correct Answer:harmful,something that can hurt you or others or make you feel bad

something that can hurt you or others or make you feel bad

Correct Answer:assumption,a belief about something or someone which is not based on evidence

a belief about something or someone which is not based on evidence

Correct Answer:stereotype,an unfair belief about someone based on their characteristics

an unfair belief about someone based on their characteristics

Q2.
Which statements are true?
There are some jobs and careers that only males can do properly.
Correct answer: Males and females can do a range of different jobs and careers.
Correct answer: Stereotypes do not give a full picture of a person.
Stereotypes are assumptions made about another person that are usually correct.
Q3.
Stereotypes can be , for example, if they make someone feel bad about who they are.
Correct Answer: harmful, bad, hurtful
Q4.
Which are examples of a gender stereotype?
Correct answer: Dancing is only for girls.
Sport is for everyone.
Correct answer: Boys should only have short hair.
Some girls are great at maths.
Q5.
Which statements are true and which are false?
Correct Answer:only girls can cry,false

false

Correct Answer:only girls can like art,false

false

Correct Answer:only boys can play basketball,false

false

Correct Answer:only boys can be pilots,false

false

Correct Answer:anyone can be a plumber,true

true

Correct Answer:anyone can be a beautician,true

true