Teachers need to be aware of the stereotypes that their textbooks promote. An informal survey of the illustrations in a sampling of third grade textbooks revealed numerous examples of ethnic and sexist stereotypes. A knowledge of children's learning patterns can help teachers lead their students away from stereotypes by introducing them to information beyond their textbooks. Suggested classroom activities include (1) comparing a newspaper report on a geographic location to a textbook account of that place, (2) comparing news reports to textbook descriptions of certain groups of people, (3) using male and female paper dolls in a classroom of very young children, (4) taking a field trip to see persons working in nontraditional roles, (5) expanding the textbook material on a particular ethnic group, and (6) posting a career bulletin board with pictures of both males and females in certain careers. (AEA)