Private School In Boston Teaching Second Graders There Are More Than Two Genders

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2022/10/14/private-school-in-boston-teaching-second-graders-there-are-more-than-two-genders/

How many genders are there?

You may get a different answer to this question depending on who you ask.

And at one private school in Boston, second-graders are being taught that the answer to that question is more than two.

The Advent School in Boston has its second graders study identity throughout the school year as a part of its social justice education mission, according to the school’s web site.

“Students explore social justice topics, beginning with an exploration of identity and uniqueness,” the school’s site reads. “Students also learn about changemakers who challenged gender expectations and helped fight for LGBTQ+ rights.”

Teachers begin the conversation by talking about stereotypes with students. They ask students these questions:

 

  • What is a stereotype?
  • Why is it essential to address stereotypes?
  • How can stereotypes negatively impact someone?

 

When the class identifies gender stereotypes, the teacher will then tell the students that “it’s important to avoid making assumptions about people’s identities and rather let them tell you who they are,” according to the school’s web site.

“During this lesson, students recognize that certain colors and hairstyles are often associated with specific genders, and making these assumptions can make people feel sad, excluded, or misunderstood,” the school’s web site adds.

The school adds that visibility is a major part of its second-grade curriculum. It says that by making different gender and social identities, students will develop a greater understanding of their communities.

Advent also notes that teachers invite “friends” to line up at the door in school when necessary, rather than “boys and girls.” 

“These small, meaningful choices help ensure that everyone feels like they belong,” the school’s web site states.

Additionally, the school notes that it introduces second graders to what it refers to as the gender spectrum — the idea that more than two genders exist. Advent also says that it introduces second graders to gender identifiers like “cis,” “trans,” and “nonbinary,” as well as to pronouns used by those who identify as genders other than male and female. 

“Beyond stereotypes, students are introduced to the gender spectrum and the gender identifiers cis, trans, and non-binary as well as various pronouns,” the school’s site says. “It’s important to understand that some people feel comfortable with more than one set of pronouns, for example she series and they series, while others prefer only one, and that some folks preferred to be called by their name.”

“It’s important to understand that some people feel comfortable with more than one set of pronouns, for example she series and they series, while others prefer only one, and that some folks preferred to be called by their name,” it adds.

The Advent School is a private school at 15 Brimmer Street in an area known as The Flat of the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston that serves prekindergarten to through sixth grade. It serves 200 students and charges $33,750 in tuition for the 2022-2023 school year, according to the school’s web site.

A spokesman for The Advent School could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week. 

 

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