Taking Initiative

Essential Question

How can I play a part in creating an environment that embraces all people, even those who are different from me?
Why do we feel empathy for others when they are mistreated?
How would society be affected if no one took responsibility for standing up for others?
What happens when we speak up to bigotry and what happens when we do not?

Texts

Literature

The Fog Machine

This excerpt focuses on the lives of African-American students during the civil rights movement. After reading Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in class in 1963, students in main character C.J.'s school are asked to share their dreams at a school assembly.

Susan Follett

Grade Level

6-8

Subject

Civics

History

Topic

Civil Rights Movement Race & Ethnicity

June 9, 2015

Informational

The Indian Problem Is Getting Worse—Isn't It Great?

In this blog post, Houska emphasizes the enduring spirit of the Native American people and their culture, outlines the group’s past and present obstacles and calls to action young Native Americans to carry on the torch of resilience.

Tara Houska

Grade Level

6-8

Subject

Civics

History

Topic

Race & Ethnicity

July 29, 2016

Informational

Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship

This text explores the relationship between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two self-made men whose lives intersected near the end of America's Civil War.

Russell Freedman

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

History

Topic

Race & Ethnicity Class

July 10, 2017

Multimedia

Teaching Tolerance Interview With John Lewis

In the graphic novel March, Congressman John Lewis documents his experiences as a young civil rights activist. Hear him describe his first arrest employing a nonviolent resistance strategy, as captured in the book.

John Lewis

Grade Level

6-8

Subject

Civics

History

Topic

Civil Rights Movement Race & Ethnicity Class Rights & Activism

June 20, 2016

Informational

Four Freedoms

In his 1941 State of the Union Address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined four fundamental human freedoms—the freedom of speech, of worship, from want, and from fear—for the United States and the rest of the world.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Economics

Geography

Topic

Civil Rights Movement Religion Class Rights & Activism

June 10, 2015

Teaching Strategies

Close and Critical Reading

Shared Reading

Shared reading combines aspects of guided reading and read-aloud strategies. During shared reading, a teacher or proficient student reads the text aloud, pausing at pre-selected moments to discuss content and analyze the text. This strategy facilitates close reading of a complex text in small or whole group settings.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RI.6-12.1

July 19, 2014

Close and Critical Reading

Window or Mirror?

This task helps students consider if the text is a window or a mirror through practicing literacy skills and using technology.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RL.6-12.2, RL.6-12.3, RL.6-12.7, RI.6-12.1, RI.6-12.2, RI.6-12.3, RI.6-12.7

April 18, 2016

Community Inquiry

Four Perspectives

A strategy to introduce the anti-bias framework into group discussion and textual analysis. Students respond to and pose questions from the four anti-bias domains: identity, diversity, justice and action.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RI.6-12.1, SL.6-12.1, SL.6-12.4, SL.6-12.6

July 13, 2014

Student Tasks

Do Something

Act Up! Drama for Justice

Students write and perform a skit or monologue that brings awareness to a specific issue addressed in the text.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 13, 2014

Do Something

Consuming and Creating Political Art

Students examine the history of political art. They then create their own murals, political cartoons or posters, demonstrating an understanding of social justice issues.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 13, 2014

Do Something

Inventing a Better World

Students invent a product or process that solves a social problem discussed in the central text.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 13, 2014

Plan Built By

TimothyLReid

Taking Initiative

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