Creating a Healthy Environment

Essential Question

How can we keep those around us safe?
How can we create a culture of respect and care in our classroom?
Why is it important to stand up to injustice when those around you do not?
To what extent is collective action necessary to defeat injustice?
What factors are important to consider when choosing whether or not to speak up in the face of injustice?

Texts

Informational

Rebel Yells

Like many schools being called on to reconsider their mascot, the University of Mississippi convenes a student-run committee to find a replacement for theirs—a Confederate soldier.

Robbie Brown

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Geography

July 5, 2014

Informational

Race Against Time

Dozens of racially motivated murders took place in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. Time is running out to solve these cold cases.

Shaila Dewan

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Economics

Geography

July 5, 2014

Informational

Are American Indian names, mascots and logos insulting or honorable? Veronica Majerol outlines the debate, citing evidence from local high school students, the N.C.A.A, and a founder of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media.

Veronica Majerol

Grade Level

9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Geography

January 21, 2016

Informational

A Tale of Two Schools

On April 14, 1947, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld the lower court decision in Mendez v. Westminster, which required the school to integrate and set the stage for Brown v. Board of Education.

Learning for Justice Staff

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Geography

Topic

Class Immigration

August 7, 2017

Literature

(A)wake

In this poem, the speaker traces the senseless killings taking place abroad and at home, with a particular focus on the African-American community. The speaker also calls communities to action to "grow our hope and heal our hearts" in order to live together in peace.

Jessica Kobe

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Subject

Civics

History

Geography

Topic

Religion Class Immigration Gender & Sexual Identity Rights & Activism

September 26, 2016

Teaching Strategies

Close and Critical Reading

Challenge the Text

Challenge the Text helps students ask and answer their own text-dependent questions by taking multiple perspectives and uncovering assumptions and biases within the text.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RL.6-12.2, RL.6-12.3, RL.6-12.6, RI.6-12.1, RI.6-12.2, RI.6-12.3, RI.6-12.6

July 19, 2014

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

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

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

Listen Up! PSA for Change

Students produce digital media to raise awareness and encourage change related to an anti-bias theme.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

July 13, 2014

Plan Built By

thatch123

Creating a Healthy Environment

Rebel Yells

Race Against Time

Insult or Honor?

A Tale of Two Schools

(A)wake

Challenge the Text

Shared Reading

Be the Change...

Community Arts Showcase

Listen Up! PSA for Change

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Creating a Healthy Environment

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