As teachers, becoming more educated on ways to include LGBTQ+ themes in our classrooms is vital. Here are a list of many resource to help you become more aware of what to do!
This is a simple guide with links to more resources about creating LBQT inclusive classrooms. It lists 10 tips for creating this environment and each tip has at least one link that expands on this tip.
This is an article that talks about gay and lesbian families in the school. There was a study done to see if teachers desired training around LGBT families of their students. Most of the teachers needed the training and felt uncomfortable and unaware of the LGBT families.
3. Boas, E. M. (n.d.). Chapter 13 Walking the Line Teaching, Being, and Sexuality in Elementary School.
This article discusses the importance of talking about sexuality in elementary schools instead of just pushing it under the rug. Although it is a topic that is typically avoided in the traditional school setting, this article talks about how the conversations regarding sexuality are significant. It stressed the significance of having open and honest lines of communication regarding sexuality with parents, teachers, and students.
This resource is an organization that focuses on uniting people who have LGBQT parents by supporting them as they empower one another to be confident leaders in society. It does not only aim for students in elementary school, but rather anyone. This page linked specifically has a variety of resources we can use while we learn about teaching students with LGBQT parents.
This resource looks to be an extremely helpful pdf that focuses on believing schools can be caring communities in which everyone has the opportunity to be engaged, included and respected, regardless of his or her sexual orientation or gender expression.
This article discusses the counter arguments as to why many schools won’t offer LGBT curriculum. With that being said, I think it is important to be knowledgeable about why schools are reluctant to include LGBT themes in the classroom and how we can go about changing that. This article also stressed the importance of overcoming these obstacles in order to incorporate these themes to create an inclusive classroom.
This resource talks about how to make students, families, faculty members, etc. feel accepted and welcomed, regardless of their sexual orientation/preference. This resource provides tips such as teaching tolerance to students and employees, avoiding segregating by gender, and recognizing same sex couples.
8. Flores, G. (2012). Toward a More Inclusive Multicultural Education: Methods for Including LGBT Themes in K-12 Classrooms. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 7(3), 187-197. doi:10.1080/15546128.2012.707072
This article discusses methods and ways of incorporating LGBT themes into the classroom. The author discusses the importance of reducing stereotypes and creating a more inclusive environment for all students. This article also gives examples and tips for talking to students about creating an inclusive classroom and being accepting of their peers.
9. Hanlon, J. (n.d.). How Educators Can Address Homophobia in Elementary Schools. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
This resource addresses the topic of homophobia in elementary schools and dives into what we as educators can do to change this just by our own actions and behaviors in the classroom. I think this is something really important when addressing how to include LGBTQ+ themes in the classroom because we want all students to feel safe and aware, regardless of sexual orientation.
This article talks about introducing gay history into the curriculum. This resource talks about how by introducing gay history into the curriculum, that students will see the positive influence that popular figures have had on our society. This resource also gives examples of lesson plans and ideas of how to successfully implement this into the classroom.
This resource provides information for educators to create lesson plans in order to create an inclusive classroom. It provides examples of children’s books that would be appropriate to add to classroom libraries. This resources also supplies professional development ideas for teachers that are passionate about including LBTQ+ themes into the K-6 classroom.
This resource talks about how including LBGTQ+ themes into the classroom is not only important, but necessary. This resource also discusses the FAIR Education Act in California as well as ways to get a FAIR Education Act, or something similar, implemented in your state.
13. Pennell, B. S. (n.d.). 3.1 Classroom ideas. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/LGBTQIA-resources/7900
This article provided tips and helpful ways to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom. One particular section of this resource that I found extremely beneficial was the section regarding tips for teachers in regards to transgender, gender fluid, and gender-nonconforming students. This particular section stressed the importance of letting students use the restroom with the gender that they identify with as well as refraining from separating students by their gender.
Like the other resources, this article gives more tips on how to include LGBTQ+ in the class and school. I also found it helpful that it talked about professional development with the staff to become more aware and how to be of help LGBTQ+ students in the school.
This article talks about how students today are not aware of same-sex parents. Children are under the impression that all families have a father and a mother and that same-sex families to not exist. It talks about the importance of teaching children about the world around them and not just pushing this topic under the rug.
16. Sanders, A. M., & Mathis, J. B. (2013). Gay and Lesbian Literature in the Classroom: Can Gay Themes Overcome Heteronormativity? Journal of Praxis in Multicultural Education, 7(1). doi:10.9741/2161-2978.1067
After skimming this resource, I found it extremely educational as well as beneficial. It mainly focused on heteronormativity and touched on how silence is actually an act of anti-LGBTQ+ feelings. I think this is a huge issue in classrooms today and this resource has a lot of information to become educated about this topic.
This resource gives a few good tips on how teachers can ally themselves with LGBTQ+ in the school/classroom. Providing a safe zone for students, confronting homophobic remarks, and incorporating LGBTQ+ people into the curriculum
This resource gives a lot of information about LGBTQ+ in the classroom and schools including percentages and statistics regarding LGBTQ+ in the school system. This article gives 10 keys to having an inclusive classroom for LGBTQ+ students including the do’s and don’ts.
This resource stressed the importance of making everyone feel included and getting to know parents and students on a personal level. This page discusses the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling of Alabama. The ALGBTICAL talks about many different topics such as creating a safe learning environment, openly gay teachers in public schools, and much more.
This article talked about how to successfully and appropriately implement LGBTQ+ themes into the classroom. Although this article agrees that it is an important topic, it is one that needs to be taught in the right way. This resource also discusses a documentary to watch/include in the curriculum entitled It’s Elementary.
