Social Justice Topics & Resources
As the teacher of your class, you know which social justice topic is best to explore with your students. We encourage you to consider topics that connect to your current unit of study, students’ interests, community events, global perspectives, etc. For example, your class may be exploring the civil rights era of the 1960s in the United States of America. You may want to share and discuss a book that illustrates an individual or event from this specific time period (e.g., Martin’s Big Words, White Socks Only). Then, select a more recent event depicting current civil rights struggles such as Trayvon Martin, Fergusson, etc. If protecting the environment is of interest to your students, you may want to share a book that models how individuals can take action to advocate for environmental change (e.g., The Lorax, Recycle Every Day!). Or, perhaps homelessness is prevalent in your local community. Sharing a book such as Fly Away Home may help students build empathy and understanding as well as address questions and concerns.
Again, when exploring any issue, we recommend incorporating current events to support students in making connections between what's studied in school and what's happening in communities near and far. Check out IndyKids (http://indykids.org/main/) for a variety of news articles about social justice issues. All articles are written by young people.
For social justice topic suggestions, visit the individual topics links on this page. Topics are paired with a starting definition, additional resources, and book suggestions. To suggest additional resources and/or book titles, please contact us. Our topics and resources are constantly growing!
As the teacher of your class, you know which social justice topic is best to explore with your students. We encourage you to consider topics that connect to your current unit of study, students’ interests, community events, global perspectives, etc. For example, your class may be exploring the civil rights era of the 1960s in the United States of America. You may want to share and discuss a book that illustrates an individual or event from this specific time period (e.g., Martin’s Big Words, White Socks Only). Then, select a more recent event depicting current civil rights struggles such as Trayvon Martin, Fergusson, etc. If protecting the environment is of interest to your students, you may want to share a book that models how individuals can take action to advocate for environmental change (e.g., The Lorax, Recycle Every Day!). Or, perhaps homelessness is prevalent in your local community. Sharing a book such as Fly Away Home may help students build empathy and understanding as well as address questions and concerns.
Again, when exploring any issue, we recommend incorporating current events to support students in making connections between what's studied in school and what's happening in communities near and far. Check out IndyKids (http://indykids.org/main/) for a variety of news articles about social justice issues. All articles are written by young people.
For social justice topic suggestions, visit the individual topics links on this page. Topics are paired with a starting definition, additional resources, and book suggestions. To suggest additional resources and/or book titles, please contact us. Our topics and resources are constantly growing!
Book Examples:
Why Use Children’s Literature as Discussion Prompts?
“Children’s literature provides a safe, imaginative space for children to confront complex issues. In those imaginary worlds, children learn about themselves and others, an important part of developing and learning to navigate the world successfully. Rather than attempt to strip children’s books of politics, we should focus on understanding how children’s stories convey social values. ” Todres, J. (July 9, 2014). The portrayl of rights in children’s literature teach important lessons. The New York Times.
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/09/should-books-for-childrens-be-political/the-portrayal-of-rights-in-childrens-literature-teach-important-lessons
For multiple perspectives on using (or not) children’s books as teaching tools to spark conversations about social justice topics, visit the following article in The New York Times (July 9, 2014): “Should Books for Children be Political?” Six educators participate in a written debate to share their opinions on whether or not conversations about human rights should be initiated with young people through the use of children’s literature.
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/09/should-books-for-childrens-be-political
“Children’s literature provides a safe, imaginative space for children to confront complex issues. In those imaginary worlds, children learn about themselves and others, an important part of developing and learning to navigate the world successfully. Rather than attempt to strip children’s books of politics, we should focus on understanding how children’s stories convey social values. ” Todres, J. (July 9, 2014). The portrayl of rights in children’s literature teach important lessons. The New York Times.
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/09/should-books-for-childrens-be-political/the-portrayal-of-rights-in-childrens-literature-teach-important-lessons
For multiple perspectives on using (or not) children’s books as teaching tools to spark conversations about social justice topics, visit the following article in The New York Times (July 9, 2014): “Should Books for Children be Political?” Six educators participate in a written debate to share their opinions on whether or not conversations about human rights should be initiated with young people through the use of children’s literature.
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/09/should-books-for-childrens-be-political