Curated OER
Sharing is Caring
By engaging in an arts-based activity, 2nd graders explore peace in the classroom. They listen to the story The Rainbow Fish, then create their own fish to hang in the classroom. They write three things that make them happy on...
Penguin Books
Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for The Lions of Little Rock
Schools in the 1950s and 60s looked very different from the schools we know today. An educator's guide explores the civil rights movement and, specifically, the process of integrating schools. Questions cover key themes in the novel and...
Penguin Books
An Educator’s Guide to Chraisma by Jeanne Ryan
Often, science fiction makes a lot of connections to real life. An educator's guide for the novel Charisma by Jeanne Ryan, has readers discuss many of the real-life issues that come in the text. A brief summary helps garner interest...
Curated OER
The Long Walk
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read an article that challenges them to consider African-American contributions to social justice.
Curated OER
he Media and Social Justice Around the World
Pupils will activate literacy skills in internet medium, and will use reading, critical thinking and writing skills as they work with their groups to collect and organize information. The follow up activity will allow them to augment...
Curated OER
Justice for All? Debating the Fairness of the Juvenile Justice System
Students discuss treatment of young people by the criminal justice system and debate whether or not that treatment is fair.
Curated OER
Environmental Justice
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this Gulf Oil Spill lesson, students discuss how environmental pollution affects those how live in poverty at a higher rate than those with more affluence. Students read...
Curated OER
Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America
Young scholars develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
Curated OER
An Exercise in Kindness
Although this resource is not a traditional lesson plan, it does explain an activity for creating a safe and supportive environment while teaching young learners the importance of being kind to one another. Start bt reading the...
Curated OER
Barnyard Protest: Cows, Chickens & Fundamental Freedoms
Here is an ambitious and engaging lesson that should help elementary schoolers begin to develop a basic understanding of human rights. Pupils are asked to think about their own rights, the rights of others, and how an individual's voice...
Curated OER
Cry, The Beloved Country: Anticipation Guide
“Poor people are poor because they are lazy and don’t work enough.” “If you are desperate, the means justify the ends.” Prior to reading Cry, The Beloved Country, class members complete an anticipation guide that focuses on issues raised...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Night to Life is Beautiful
After reading Elie Wiesel's Night, watching the movie Life is Beautiful, and researching World War II, class members write a comparison essay on the book and film. This includes a prior knowledge activity, discussion in whole and small...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Human Rights Then and Now
Students examine past and present human rights issues in U.S. history. In reflection journals, they document both justices and injustices perpetrated on groups and individuals. Finally, students implement an action plan designed to...
Curated OER
Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Students explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
Curated OER
The Millennium Promise in Africa
Students compete activities related to the viewing of a documentary film. After viewing the documentary, The Dairy of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, students participate in a discussion of the leading factors leading to...
Curated OER
The March Continues
Students explore the Civil Rights Memorial. In this character development and U.S. History lesson, students employ reading comprehension strategies while reading a news article about the Civil Rights Memorial. Students work in groups to...
Curated OER
Upon the Clouds of Equality: King Day
Students learn about equality, justice and fairness. In this equality lesson, students experience what it feels like to be treated unequally. Students examine Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of equality and his actions to make this...
Curated OER
Japanese Inspired Activities for the Classroom
Young scholars become more aware of cultural differences by reading a variety of multicultural books about social issues. They assess various Haiku's by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Kamishibai stories by Dianne Clouet and snapshots from Japan by...
Curated OER
The Story of Latino Civil Rights: Fighting for Justice
Middle schoolers identify the civil rights abuses suffered by African Americans, Japanesse Americans during WWII, and Hispanic Americans. They explain what the common element is among the discrimination against these three groups. ...
Curated OER
Idea-Noun Definition: Source Searching
A great idea for showing language arts pupils the universality of themes, even in the real world! Have class members choose an idea-noun (peace, justice, war, love, etc.) at the beginning of the year or semester. They complete weekly...
Curated OER
Egyptian Fairy Tale
Students explore ancient Egyptian culture and government. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare the legal system from ancient Egypt to our current American legal system. Links are included for web searching Egypt and the...
Curated OER
A Good Man is Hard to Find
Young scholars, in groups, read and analyze the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor. They present their findings tot he rest of the class and then connect the various themes discussed to outside material, events...
Curated OER
Circle Sculpture
Students discover the Theatre of the Oppressed. In this diversity lesson, students practice confronting injustice as they participate in "circle sculpture" to role play performance models that deal with social justice issues. Students...
Curated OER
America's Civil Rights Movement, Activity Ten
Students identify a wrong in their own community and act to correct it. They reflect on the intersection fo the Civil Rights Movemnet with a social justice project.