Blog # 9 Gender Pronouns - Woke Read Alouds: They, She, He Easy as ABC

 


Woke Read Alouds: 

They, She, He Easy as ABC


The video was interesting in the fact that the storyteller was animated and very skilled in making sure that the lesson included other aspects besides gender pronouns, like book parts or text features. 


Also, after watching the video I honestly had mixed feelings, because I do not agree with instructing kids on choosing their pronouns at an early age; and the positive side of the video is related to the understanding that today, in this diverse society there is a need to acknowledge gender diversity as well as race diversity, cultural diversity, religious diversity and all types of diversity. On the other hand I think that choosing your gender is directly, or at least mostly related to sexual orientation and a person could choose their sexual orientation when they are young adults or later, not as children, therefore I don’t feel it is appropriate to introduce it at an early age.


On the other hand the school where I helped tried to honor gender choice by trying to eliminate language that portraits only girl boy distinction. There have been some cases where 

5th grade students would want to change their pronoun and the school honored that choice in every possible way and created a gender diversity inclusiveness and a safe place for students, families and staff. 


Another aspect that is very hard for me to get used to, is the fact that these pronouns in some cases contradict language grammar rules or syntax, for example: “They is happy to go to the park” or “They likes to wear a dress”. And that confuses children when they are in the process of learning language rules. 





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