Understanding Justice: Learning from History and Current Events

Essential Question

How do bias and injustice affect the future?
What shared beliefs have inspired social justice movements in history?
What problems arise when we relate to people as members of a group, rather than as unique individuals?

Texts

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

Race & Ethnicity Religion

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

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

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

Plan Built By

emule

Understanding Justice: Learning from History and Current Events

‘Hope, Despair and Memory’

Saffron Dreams

Challenge the Text

Shared Reading

Community Arts Showcase

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