Classroom Resources

This is the ninth lesson in the Reading Ads with a Social Justice Lens series.

On one hand, it is easy to argue for more diversity in advertising. On the other hand, asking for diversity creates the danger of tokenism—the idea that it is OK to have a member of a minority ethnic group represent the entire group. Children are capable, if given the opportunity, of seeing many sides to this argument. They need the chance to weigh the pros and cons of increased diversity of representation in the media and work toward figuring out where their own opinions lie.

What would a neighborhood survey of businesses reveal about your community?

Measure your awareness of Native American influences in U.S. history and culture.

Students can make a pledge to help end continued racism.

Americans may not give much recognition to the UN observance, but for ten years the citizens of Canada have heeded the UN's summons and gone so far as to expand upon the idea of a one-day commemorative event to create a nationwide program toward the eradication of racism.

Celebrated annually on November 2, Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead," embraces life as it pokes fun at the Grim Reaper. (Note: In some regions, the celebration spans two days, from November 1st through the 2nd, in which case it is called Dias de los Muertos.)

"You can't continue to have a world without equal participation of men and women. That's my central thesis."

"I am not a politician by choice. Instead I try to pursue the objective of institution building, an essential component of the reconstruction of our nation."

"I realized that although eighty percent of women in India are economically active, they are outside the purview of legislation."

"The myth of male superiority can only be demolished with shining examples of female achievement against which nobody could argue intelligently."

"What remains in the end is a deep longing for justice. . .We want you all to remember what happened to our children so that it never happens again."

"We turn away so often. ... Each one of us has an individual responsibility to inform ourselves. To care. To respond."

Teaching Tolerance teamed with Bread and Roses, the cultural arm of local 1199, the National Health & Human Service Employees Union of the AFL-CIO to present the International Women of Hope Project.

Utilizing Shakespeare and theater to examine modern day violence.

This activity helps students understand the injustice and dangers of scapegoating an entire group of people during a national crisis.

A high school teacher helps his students challenge their own racist beliefs.

Combat stereotypes by creatively combining science and social studies activities.

Implement an intervention program built on shared music and individual counseling sessions.

Help students remove prejudices they might have and dispel public myths regarding the "poor" through this five-month project.

Morning Meetings help students and teachers connect and start the day on a positive note.

Artifacts of hate help middle school students see result of bullying, racist behavior.

Speaker shows significance of symbol while giving a face to gay "category."

Our students come from upper-middle-class homes and live in a sheltered suburban community with little exposure to anyone significantly different than themselves. Teaching tolerance is difficult when they have few experiences with diversity. This project introduces students to a diverse group of people who experienced intolerance.

Lesson uses history of genocide to further notions of personal responsibility.