Learning about injustices around the world through current events

Essential Question

What problems arise when we relate to people as members of a group, rather than as unique individuals?
How do power and privilege shape the relationships people have with each other as well as with institutions?
How can the lived experiences of individuals reflect social inequities?
How is empathy a seed of social action?
How does power determine access and opportunity?

Texts

Informational

Always Running

In this excerpt from his memoir, Rodriguez provides a stirring recollection from his adolescence: the first time he experienced racism as a result of being an immigrant in America. As he says, the experience "stays with [him] like a foul odor."

Luis J. Rodriguez

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Topic

Class Immigration Race & Ethnicity

July 2, 2014

Literature

Why Chicken Means So Much to Me

It may seem like an empty stomach is the worst thing about being poor, but for Junior it’s not being able to save his best friend.

Sherman Alexie

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

Economics

Topic

Race & Ethnicity Class

July 5, 2014

Literature

Saffron Dreams

Although her husband died in the September 11 attack, Arissa is targeted for being Muslim. In this excerpt, she is held up by a group of men who berate her and threaten to kill her until they realize she is pregnant.

Shaila Abdullah

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Geography

Topic

Race & Ethnicity Religion

July 7, 2014

Informational

Nativism and the Know-Nothings

In this essay, the author describes the Nativism movement, capturing the ways in which it dips and surges based on immigration cycles.

Learning for Justice Staff

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Economics

Geography

Topic

Race & Ethnicity Religion Immigration

June 20, 2016

Teaching Strategies

Community Inquiry

Say Something

A comprehension strategy during which student take turns reading aloud to each other, stopping occasionally to comment on the text.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RL.6-12.2, RI.6-12.1, RI.6-12.2, SL.6-12.1, SL.6-12.2, SL.6-12.6

July 13, 2014

Community Inquiry

Socratic Seminar

A structured discussion in which students examine issues and respond to open-ended questions about a text. Students use dialogue rather than debate to communicate with each other.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RI.6-12.1, SL.6-12.1, SL.6-12.3, SL.6-12.4, SL.6-12.6

July 13, 2014

Student Tasks

Do Something

Be the Change...

Students identify and investigate a community problem and propose a solution. They then plan and implement action directed at solving the problem.

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

RachelCosby

Learning about injustices around the world through current events

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