Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune In: Shaping stereotypes

20 minutes

Find Out: You can’t ask that

25 minutes

Take Action: Defying stereotypes

5 minutes

Reflection

Learning intentions

Students will:

understand how stereotypes are constructed through language, and how they shape perceptions of individuals and groups.

Success criteria

Students can:

explain how stereotypes impact individuals and communities
analyse how leaders can defy stereotypes through using their voice to advocate for others.

Tune In: Shaping stereotypes

Step 1

Begin by asking students what they think the word stereotype means. Invite a few students to share their own definitions and examples. Explain that stereotypes often form through the language we use, especially in media and headlines.

Next, display or read aloud this example headline: ‘Young Indigenous player shows raw talent, but lacks discipline.’

Step 2

Use this headline to prompt a class discussion with these questions:

What stereotype is being suggested by this headline?
Which words or phrases contribute to a negative image?
How could this language harm the player or reinforce unfair stereotypes?
In what ways might this affect the opportunities or how people see the player?

Step 3

Ask students to work individually or in pairs to think about how they could rewrite the headline to make it fairer and more neutral. Encourage them to swap out stereotypical or negative words with positive or neutral alternatives.

For example, suggest replacing ‘but lacks’ with ‘and focuses on.’

Step 4

Repeat the activity using the following headlines:

‘Teenage gamers are antisocial and unathletic.’
‘The female CEO who leads with bossy authority.’

For each, students should identify stereotypical language and then rewrite the headlines to be more balanced and respectful. Once completed, invite students to share their rewritten headlines.

Find Out: You can’t ask that

Step 1

Explain to students that across the world, marginalised minority communities are negatively impacted by stereotypes. Within Australian society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, migrant communities and people experiencing homelessness are largely impacted by racial and cultural stereotypes.

In Australia, racial discrimination can include but is not limited to ‘being treated rudely, as if they are inferior or with disrespect, ignored, insulted, harassed, stereotyped or discriminated against, or unfair assumptions are made about them’ (Source: antar.org.au). Stereotypes often affect how people think about and behave towards other people, and they are often perpetuated by a lack of exposure to different cultural groups.

Step 2

As a class, watch the short episode (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/you-can-t-ask-that-in-the-classroom) from ABC’s You Can’t Ask That series, where a diverse group of African Australians are asked a range of different and uncomfortable questions. Explain to students that the idea of this series is to ask the ‘taboo’ questions, which are often perpetuated by stereotypes, in an effort to break down stereotypes and provide education by amplifying the voices of these communities.

Learning opportunity: For an extended task, invite students to independently view an episode from the series on a topic of their choice at home. Suggest that they select an age-appropriate episode.

Step 3

After watching the episode, organise students into small groups or pairs for a guided discussion. Use the prompts below to encourage thoughtful conversation about stereotypes, cultural understanding, and respectful curiosity.

Discussion prompts:

What stereotypes or misconceptions did the episode challenge?
How did the people respond to the difficult questions, and did it change your perspective?
Why is it important to ask uncomfortable questions with respect?
How can breaking stereotypes help build a more inclusive community?
What can you do personally to challenge stereotypes in your everyday life?

Take Action: Defying stereotypes

Step 1

As a class, watch Darcy Moore’s 2023 ANZAC Day speech that made headlines.

Darcy Moore’s touching Anzac Day speech (youtube.com/watch?v=zEq6Lfs4NrA)

Learning extension: Invite students to analyse the language used in the speech to explore how Darcy Moore's language has inclusive social effects that can empower others.

Step 2

Explain to students that an AFL player who has become known for defying archaic stereotypes of what it means to be a male football player is Collingwood Football Club’s captain, Darcy Moore, who was presenting the speech in the video. Read the following quote from the University of Melbourne on Darcy Moore:

Although many see him only as Collingwood's Captain, Master of International Relations student Darcy Moore is much more than just a footballer. An avid reader and amateur barber, Moore prides himself on extending his identity well past football. While he made headlines for his widely respected speech following Collingwood's 2023 Anzac Day victory over Essendon, Moore has immersed himself in a range of social issues; stretching from Reconciliation efforts to pushing forward CBA negotiations for the AFLW, the 27-year-old is making a mark not just on the field, but off it too.
Source: sport.unimelb.edu.au

Step 3

Next, invite students to consider how he represents a new image of masculinity in AFL that challenges the stereotypes of male AFL players. Instruct students to use their devices to conduct further research on Darcy Moore, his leadership, values and allyship within the iconic game. Students can use the Student Worksheet to respond to the key research questions.

Learning opportunity: Students can research a selected AFLW player and identify the importance of female representation in sports, and how stereotypes negatively impact female athletes in this space.

Step 4

Once completed, encourage students to share their responses with the class.

Learning extension: Students can create a social media post or a short editorial piece that could be shared on a platform like Instagram or X, summarising an athlete’s achievements and the stereotypes they challenge.

Reflection

Step 1

Ask students to pause for 3 minutes and consider any frequent actions or language they use that may perpetuate stereotypes, and consider how they may change this.

Step 2

Invite students to share with their peers or table groups how they will modify their language moving forward.

The Impact of Stereotypes

Go to

Summary

Lesson guides and printables

In this lesson