Let’s talk about sex
Love is wonderful. But talking about sexuality can also be quite difficult. Especially when the conversation is about gender and sexual diversity, things can sometimes get rather heated in the classroom. And perhaps you do not always feel entirely comfortable or confident yourself when the conversation or lesson is about this. How do you do it? Do you talk to your students about sexuality?
Talking and teaching safely
Before the lesson, make clear agreements so that the conversation in the classroom proceeds safely and respectfully. And prepare yourself for a lesson or for ‘spontaneous’ conversations in the classroom. View all eight tips for teachers on having a safe classroom conversation about gender and sexual diversity:
- A safe conversation about gender and sexual diversity (secondary education)
- A safe conversation about gender and sexual diversity (vocational education)
Also download the free Visual step-by-step plan for a safe conversation. A useful reminder when having conversations about ‘difficult’ topics in the classroom.
Including the theme of sexual diversity in your lesson
During the Week of Love, ‘lessons in love’ are given at schools throughout the country. Rutgers – the initiator of the week – has many teaching materials on the website www.seksuelevorming.nl that you can use for this purpose. These also address the theme of gender and sexual diversity.
- Use the module on sexual diversity and gender diversity. It consists of a free downloadable lesson plan, worksheets and videos.
- Rutgers has also created a special page with tips for ‘Dealing with diversity’.
- The Rutgers website offers training to make it easier to teach about love and sexuality. These include the free e-learning course Getting started with sexuality education and the free online training How do I teach with Long Live Love?
- View the Gendi tips on Including gender and sexual diversity in your lesson (secondary education) and Including gender and sexual diversity in your lesson (vocational education).
About Gendi
Gendi is an initiative of Stichting School & Veiligheid. School & Veiligheid supports schools in promoting social safety with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
The www.gendi.nl website provides education professionals in primary and secondary education and vocational education with inspiration, knowledge, tips and (teaching) materials to make room for gender and sexual diversity in the classroom, at school and within the team. The aim is for the school to be a safe place where everyone can be themselves.