Lesson Idea | Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

This Seattle Public Schools 2nd-grade lesson (adapted from San Francisco Unified School District) uses Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah & Ian Hoffman to help students explore gender expression, acceptance, compassion, and allyship. Over a 30–40 minute session, students learn key vocabulary (acceptance, ally, gender, gender role), discuss stereotypes (e.g., colors, clothes, activities), and identify allies while reading the story aloud. Through guided questions and a T-chart activity, students examine how different characters respond to Jacob, how support makes him feel, and how bullying harms. The lesson emphasizes respectful classroom discussion with clear ground rules, encourages students to reflect on how they can be allies, and ends with an exit ticket assessment on why allyship matters and how to practice it. It aligns with Washington State Sexual Health Standards around gender roles and respect, and includes extensions through Teaching Tolerance and Gender Spectrum resources.

Standards

• Washington State Sexual Health Standard: Understand there is a range of gender roles and
expression. (H1.Se5.2a)
• Washington State Sexual Health Standard: Understand the importance of treating others with
respect regarding gender expression. (H1.Se5.2b)