Voices in the year 7 classroom: a case study tracing evolving gender identities during a poetry unit of work focused on gender consciousness

ABSTRACT This case study explores how literature, in particular poetry, can be used as an educational platform within the secondary classroom to explore gender identity. A six-week unit of poetry was created as part of a broader project to enable pupils to reflect on their personal and familial experiences of gender, whilst also utilising creative writing and performance as a tool for self-expression. The all-female class were studied before, during and after the learning process to holistically evaluate their development of gender-consciousness. A key area of focus is the strengths and limitations of the use of performance poetry when developing awareness of gender identity within adolescents.