K-12 Curricula and Lesson Plans

GLSEN's Education Department offers free curricula and lesson plans for educators to use with elementary, middle and high school students. These resources provide a framework for facilitating classroom discussion and engaging students in creating safer schools for all.

Elementary & Middle School Level

No Name-Calling Week Lesson Plans

No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds. Lesson plans produced for No Name-Calling Week are available and appropriate for use throughout the school year.

Elementary Lesson Plans - Grades K-4

Five lesson plans, developed with the National Association of Elementary School Principals. CLICK HERE

Art Lesson Plans - Grades K-8

Three lesson plans to help students create art pieces that express their feelings about name-calling, bullying and harassment. CLICK HERE

Middle Level Lesson Plans - Grades 5-8

Eleven lesson plans from the original No Name-Calling Week Kit. CLICK HERE

Middle & High School Level

ThinkB4YouSpeak Campaign Educator's Guide - Grades 7-12

In partnership with the Ad Council, GLSEN has created an educator's guide to accompany its public service announcement (PSA) campaign about homophobic language. You can also download and order free campaign materials, including television PSAs and posters.

When Did It Happen: An LGBT History Lesson - Grades 7-12

This activity provides a fun and interactive way to increase students' understanding of LGBT history and raise awareness of LGBT people and their contributions in U.S. history.

Videos and Accompanying GLSEN Educational Materials

Out of the Past - Grades 7-12

Told through the eyes of Kelli Peterson, a 17-year-old high school student in Salt Lake City, Utah, Out of the Past explores Kelli's history-making experience of forming a gay-straight alliance (GSA) in her public school. 65 minutes. Originally aired on PBS.

TEACHING RESOURCE: Out of the Past Teachers' Guide.

Gay Pioneers - Grades 7-12

This documentary focuses on the first public protests for equal rights for gay and lesbian people, staged at governmental offices and historic landmarks in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. between 1965 and 1969. Archival footage and interviews with the participants. 30 minutes. Originally aired on WHYY, Philadelphia public TV.

TEACHING RESOURCE: Tips for Teaching with Gay Pioneers