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* Important: Try to hide the book cover prior to step 3 of this lesson. *
1. On the whiteboard (or using the provided Google Slides), draw two identical people outlines and name them “Princess” and “Prince”.
2. As a class, have students describe both the outside (clothing, appearance, activities, etc.) and the inside (character traits, behaviours, things they might say, etc.) of the princess and prince.
3. Before reading the book to the students, show them the front cover and ask them what the book might be about.
4. Read the book to the students. Stop at the first page and ask them: How does Elizabeth feel about Ronald? How does Ronald feel about Elizabeth? What do you think he is like?
5. As a class, redo the activity from step 1, with two new identical people outlines, using Elizabeth and Ronald.
6. Compare the first set of character outlines to the second for a class discussion (this can be done in small groups for older students). Ask the class: How are they similar? How are they different? Did anything surprise you about Elizabeth and Ronald? How are Elizabeth and Ronald different from the way you described a princess and prince? How is this story different from other fairy tales?
7. Define a stereotype in words your students can understand. In many stories, the princess is saved by a prince. BUT, in this story, it was the other way round. The princess didn’t wait to be saved; SHE was brave and went on an adventure to chase the dragon and save the prince. In many stories we see a princess with clean hair and a pretty dress. In this story, the princess didn’t care what she looked like; she had messy hair and wore a paper bag. In many stories, we see the prince as a kind and generous person. In this story, the àprince was not kind and was ungrateful when the princess came to save him. When we have an idea about what someone or a group of people should be and act like, we can call that a stereotype. Stereotypes are ideas about how people will act, based on the group to which they belong. In many stories the princess needs help. In this story the princess is strong and brave. This story shows us that it doesn’t matter who you are; you can be strong and brave.
8. Read the following list and ask students to raise their hands if “it’s a girl thing” and keep their hands down if “it’s a boy thing”. Inspired by Is it a girl thing or a boy thing? activity.
9. Class discussion: Unpack whether each person “totally fits” into these gender stereotypes and discuss the diversity of each person. Give examples of people who break gender stereotypes and supply the students with positive affirmations of breaking gender norms. Provide the students with a script of what to say if they are being teased for breaking gender stereotypes or witnessing this type of situation.