GSA Activities

• Using Google Docs or Google Slides, allow students to create a mission/vision statement together.  The Google apps allow for easy collaboration.

• How-To:

  • https://davegonzokelly.com/2017/09/keys-to-helping-students-create-a-vision-for-their-organization/

  • https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/22/09/how-make-mission-matter-your-school

• EXAMPLES

• Using Powerpoint, Google Slides, iMovie or other creation software, allow students to create a public service announcement (PSA) for their school.  

• Here are two examples of PSAs that Rainbow Warriors have created:

  • National Coming Out Day: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gqktfyyl689n2lSlAHkRGS3qrVfXKYzg/view?usp=sharing

  • Safe Zone for TK-4:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gXufTL68BIn9EZT2WTlkBeIG4jNtQaSd/view?usp=sharing

• Allow students to research current LGBTQ+ issues.  Using art supplies, Google Slides, Canva or other software, have students create their own infographic.  See Examples here from TSER:  https://transstudent.org/graphics/

These are some grades 5-12 documentaries that centered on LGBTQ issues:

• Transgender Kids https://youtu.be/XDcKCrwX33U

• Raising Ryland https://youtu.be/yAHCqnux2fk

• "That's so gay" PSA https://youtu.be/sWS0GVOQPs0

• "That's so gay" PSA. https://youtu.be/b_MIb3mYznE

• "That's so gay" PSA https://youtu.be/KmZnL3OFZJU

• The T Word (7th grade +)  https://youtu.be/mDy0DhfuxfI

• Harvey Milk: A Pioneer of Hope. https://youtu.be/QuONQN57JYc

• A History of Pride. https://youtu.be/UDJIbkSW08U

• Our Service, Our Stories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p18psyfG7L0

• LGBT Movement and Stonewall Uprising, PBS Kids: https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/fp18-socst-lgbtq-stonewall/the-lgbtq-movement-and-stonewall-uprising/

• 10 Different Gender Identities:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOSz2Jo450

• TED Talk--What's It's Like to Be LGBT+ Around the World with Inspiring Leaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivfJJh9y1UI

• Two-Spirit Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4lBibGzUnE

• Being Queer During the Holidays:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcdUx8igGtk

• Take your GSA to Models of Pride!!   See more information here:  https://modelsofpride.org/

• Visit the Museum of Tolerance:  http://www.museumoftolerance.com/

• National Coming Out Day -- October 11th. 

• Annual LGBTQ+ Youth Convening!  See https://www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/

• Students can learn about the differences between gender, expression, and orientation using the Gender Unicorn or the Gender Bread Person.

• Students can make their own Gender Unicorn or Genderbread Person to represent themselves using art supplies, Google Slides, Canva or other software.

• Teaching Pluralism:  http://teachpluralism.squarespace.com/blog-1/2017/1/4/new-years-resolutions

• CBC News for Kids--History of New Year's Resolutions:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxT1jkPq-gU

http://outreachcenterav.org/uploads/3/4/2/3/34232414/annual-resource-final-17.pdf

See details here:  https://gsanetwork.org/resources/activity-i-love-my-people-who/

Imi is a guide to help support teens with their gender identities and mental health:  https://imi.guide/

See details here:  https://gsanetwork.org/resources/the-game-of-k-12-life/

Directions:  (1) Watch the Know Your Rights video from the ACLU at the 2020 LGBTQ+ Youth Convening and/or read the student card from the ACLU here.   (2) Play the Kahoot.  (3) Give out prizes.   

FamilyEquality.org has an activity where students write to an elected official asking to decrease racial disparities in their neighborhood in support of Black Lives.  Activities may be used for multiple social justice causes:  https://www.familyequality.org/resources/lgbtq-families-for-black-lives/#youth

• GLSEN's LGBTQ History Timeline Lesson:  https://www.glsen.org/activity/lgbtq-history-timeline-lesson

• How "Queer" Became an Empowerment Term:  https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/queer.php

Here is a link for a LGBTQ terminology Kahoot.  https://create.kahoot.it/share/lgbtq-101/3d81d616-ac44-4645-85af-a2b84e26848e

• Rainbow Relaxation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIbBI-BT9c4

• Students can learn about the various types of pride flags using this slideshow:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KiAsK4bmjWSJfYVYs1mi6mms8E9nmcrfb94jrKJDH9U/edit?usp=sharing

• Then you can allow students to create their own pride flag using Google Jamboard, Google Slides or Paint.

• At an upcoming meeting, give students time to share their flags and speak about why they chose their particular styles, symbols and colors.

Host a pride pledge at your school during lunch or after school.  Ask students to sign a pledge to support LGBTQ students and their friends.  Then hang the pledges in a visible place in your school.  You can also order cheap rainbow stickers or bracelets on Amazon to give to students who sign the pledge.  See examples below:

Middle School: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1amUVtednM2dhJYbKs-C5pMJWH3tV9lhI/view?usp=sharing

High School:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/18AYw6yyZP9EWlu-AAnCFQlnY7qLEZGX6YQX9yZh5p-4/edit?usp=sharing

Host a pride week at your school!  Each day can have a different theme and/or activity.  Below is an example from Valley High School in Santa Ana, CA:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zPh2ZdLktEhzjFYHthSQcduRQJkD0st_NJ4NRhqE8Co/edit?usp=sharing

An online community and chat for LGBTQ teens and their allies.  Weekly chats are held for youth.

https://www.qchatspace.org/

Directions for Rainbow Game:

Object of the game: to get to know each other.

1. Place one chair for each person in a circle.  Remove one chair and set it to the side.

2. A person volunteers to start in the middle of the circle.  If no volunteers, you can choose using age, numbers, rock-paper-scissors, etc., whatever is fun for your age group.

3. The person in the middle starts by saying "Rainbow if" and gives a criterion.  Examples: "Rainbow if you're wearing shoes."; "Rainbow if your favorite color is yellow."; "Rainbow if you like unicorns."

4. If the criterion applies to the player, they must get up and go into the middle of the circle and cross to a different chair.  They cannot move the chair adjacent to either person.

5. The player without a chair stays in the middle to give a new "Rainbow if" criterion.  Then steps 1-5 repeat.

6. Ending the game:  You can end the game at a set time or set a number of turns that a person has in the middle.

Game provided by Tony Ortuno and the LGBTCenterOC.

Allow students to create their own Safe Zone signs to be hung in classrooms and in the school building.

Link to templates:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w40MY7ptsogUdWzt0oIb-AguNJesaUe6/view?usp=sharing

Here are some great ideas and how-tos from GSA Network to celebrate National Transgender Day of Remembrance:  https://gsanetwork.org/resources/transgender-day-of-remembrance/

Welcoming Schools has a wide variety of lessons for elementary classrooms and GSAs.  Some can also be adapted for older students.

https://www.welcomingschools.org/resources/lesson-plans/