About This Lesson
LITTLE STONES is an award-winning documentary which takes viewers on a global journey inside the lives and studios of four women fighting for equality. Directed by EMMY® Award-winning filmmaker Sophia Kruz, the documentary follows the uplifting stories of four women using rap, graffiti, fashion and dance to fight for women’s rights around the world.
Driftseed, a 501c3 nonprofit organization created by the filmmakers, partnered with the University of Michigan School of Education to create a series of lesson plans and arts workshops for high school students based on the Little Stones documentary. The purpose of this classroom initiative is to not only educate future leaders on global violence against women, but also to inspire innovative, collaborative, and non-traditional means of creating social change through the arts.
In LESSON SIX, students will read a short text on economics and gender-based violence. They will also watch one of the film’s bonus clips, analyze economic data, and complete a writing task about structural violence.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to generate and communicate evidence-based conclusions about the economic and structural aspects of gender-based violence.
TAKEAWAYS: Gender-based violence has both individual and systemic causes and effects. Perpetrators use violence to try and control others, and the survivors of violence face a wide range of effects.
Women generally have less economic independence than men, and can find it difficult to leave violent situations when they have limited resources. In addition, women are more vulnerable to the violence of poverty: sickness, hunger, and homelessness.
Structural violence refers to the systems and social arrangements in a society that cause harm to others. Gender-based violence is one example of structural violence as it is often tied to unequal power and opportunities between men and women.
DURATION: 1 – 2 class periods, variable, depending upon if you use videos, and how much time you allot for discussion
Want more lessons on the Little Stones film?
Check out more free lessons and resources on Share My Lesson on the Driftseed partner page.
