Social Justice youth advocacy and activism

Essential Question

How do our intersecting identities shape our perspectives and the way we experience the world?
How do we remain true to ourselves as we move in and out of different communities, cultures and contexts?
How do power and privilege change the way we express and present ourselves?
How does struggle help define who we are?
How do our similarities and differences impact the relationships we have with people inside and outside our own identity groups?

Texts

Multimedia

Ben DeSoto 'Understanding Poverty' exhibit

In this video, photojournalist Ben DeSoto discusses "Understanding Poverty," an exhibit featuring images of people and communities affected by poverty and homelessness.

Ben Tecumseh DeSoto

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

Economics

Topic

Class

July 2, 2014

Literature

The Misfits

In this excerpt, the reader meets two characters from The Misfits: Addie, a girl who is exceptionally tall and smart for a middle schooler and Joe, who is creative and feminine in a way that makes his peers nervous.

James Howe

Grade Level

3-5 6-8 9-12

Topic

Gender & Sexual Identity

July 3, 2014

Informational

‘Hope, Despair and Memory’

"Hope, Despair and Memory" is an address given by Elie Wiesel on December 11, 1986, the date Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Wiesel is an author and humanitarian and is known for writing about his experience as a survivor of the Holocaust.

Elie Wiesel

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

History

Topic

Religion

July 5, 2014

Informational

Facing the School Dropout Dilemma: The interaction of sexual orientation with school dropout rates

The American Psychological Association (APA) published “Facing the School Dropout Dilemma: The interaction of sexual orientation with school dropout rates” on its website in 2012. The APA is widely regarded as the most prominent professional organization for psychologists in the United States.

American Psychological Association

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Topic

Gender & Sexual Identity

July 5, 2014

Teaching Strategies

Word Work

Illustrated Vocabulary

In this visual strategy, students divide vocabulary words into parts and draw illustrations to represent the separate meaning of each part.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

L.6-12.4, L.6-12.6

July 19, 2014

Word Work

Prior Knowledge and Personal Association Surveys

These surveys ask students what they know or how they feel about specific words in the text they are reading.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 19, 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

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

Community Arts Showcase

Students produce original art that conveys an anti-bias or social justice message then work with school staff to plan a public showcase of their work.

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

Film Festival

Students review films related to a theme in the central text, then plan, prepare for and host a community film festival.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 13, 2014

Plan Built By

aredrick

Social Justice youth advocacy and activism

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