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 **__Introduction__**

Topia Community Schools is dedicated to providing a safe and effective learning environment for all students. Our curriculum has been restructured to implement feminist pedagogy into the third grade classrooms. Much of traditional education systems are based on patriarchal ideology which does not typically value a student’s prior knowledge that is brought to the classroom. Instead, it focuses on the “banking system,” a “model in which the teacher assumes complete control over a scarce resource, knowledge. Thus, despite radical claims to the contrary, the teacher actually perpetuates the status quo (Cannon and De La Rosa; par. 2). The feminist pedagogy model instills that knowledge is partial and incomplete; thus, the teacher and students will work to establish a more complete understanding of the issues at hand. The focus of this modification is to create an open atmosphere where students feel comfortable voicing their opinions and are safe to actively engage in classroom activities and discussions. With this feminist approach, it will be necessary for teachers and students to work collaboratively to obliterate the imbalance of power.

Topia Elementary School is comprised of a diverse faculty. Teachers are of both sexes and share a range of ideals based on Feminist Pedagogy. It is expected of our staff to implement Feminist Pedagogy into their own classrooms and lesson plans.

This Resource Guide for Feminist Teachers focuses specifically on the structuring of a 3rd grade Language Arts classroom at Topia Elementary School. All of the grade levels and content areas (ie. science, math, social studies,etc.) follow the Feminist Pedagogy for the classroom environment and are structured similar to that of the 3rd grade classes that we have designed. Teachers will be able to use these guidelines to meet the curriculum for their grade level. In this Resource Guide for Feminist Teachers, one can find various approaches for how to go about restructuring their classroom to incorporate feminist pedagogy. Feminist classroom policies will seek to create equality between the sexes with respect to the Dress Code, Harassment Statement, and Classroom Rules & Behavior. Classroom décor will display posters that boys and girls will find equally influential and positive, as well as boys and girls will be partnered up to ensure diverse knowledge is shared. Lesson plans will be created in support of feminist ideologies while pertaining to the government Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs).