Grade Level: K-5
Time: 45 Minutes
Essential Question
What is weight/size bias and what can we do about it?
About This Lesson
Weight or size bias begins for children at a young age. Awareness of size and shaming of size starts early and can be seen in children as young as three years old. When it goes unchecked, weight bias persists and grows. In K-12 schools, weight bias often shows as verbal teasing/bullying, physical bullying or indirect forms like relational bullying (e.g., social exclusion, being the subject of rumors). Although weight and size bias can be challenging to discuss, it is a critical topic for elementary age children. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to understand what weight bias is, using a picture book Big by Vashti Harrison. Students will also reflect on examples of weight bias and explore what can be done about it.